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Sub Rosa is made up of fan driven content. Contributors receive a Individual Subscription: US$4.5complementary copy of the issue their work appears in. Individual Subscription – 4 issues: US$16 To contribute articles or illustrations, visit the Sub Rosa website Troupe Subscription: US$13(http://www.subrosamagazine.org) and follow the guidelines. Troupe Subscription – 4 issues: US$35 Under the Rose work, I am studying a Masters of Well, it’s been a long journey to get the first issue of Sub Rosa Public Policy. Fitting in Sub Rosa Alex White together since it was announced in has bee n a n or ga nisational March this year. I’ve been challenge, but I am glad that it has Chart for his contribution to this overwhelmed by the support finally come together. I now more first issue. shown by the Ars fan community, fully appreciate the hard work that Eric put into Hermes Portal, and We have a range of articles in and am encouraged by the range this first issue, from established of articles and subscriptions. am more able to time manage for future issues. Ars Magica Fifth Edition authors, Sub Rosa was born from to new and emerging talent. The Hermes Portal, published by Eric I am indebted to Mark Philp, the diversity of the articles is excellent Kouris. Several current Ars editor and my partner in crime. – from details on the medieval Magica authors started with Many years ago, Mark introduced concept of courtly love, to articles in HP, and have since gone me to Ars Magica (fourth ed). The Bjornaer extras, and Basque o n t o ma ke s i g ni f i c a nt work he has done for this issue, legends. contributions to ArM5. My own and for the website (and many other things besides) is amazing. I I specifically want to thank the contributions to Ars Magica also contributors for their hard work. It started in Hermes Portal, first as know Mark is committed to high quality games and publications, has been a long journey to finally an illustrator, and later as an see this first issue, so thank you article author. I hope that a new and I highly recommend the Pointless Mental Cruelty website for your patience. generation of Ars Magica authors gets their start with Sub Rosa. (pointlessmentalcruelty.com) to This publication would not be Hermes Portal lasted for 15 see some of the innovative and possible without your support and issues, with issues 14 and 15 the creative games that he is (in large subscriptions. Please promote Sub equivale nt of a full-length part) responsible for. Rosa to your frie nds a nd sourcebook on the Isle of Man. It is gratifying to have received enc oura ge the m to buy a Many of the ideas and systems support from Atlas Games and subscription. Check our website that are now an integral part of specifically David Chart for this for de ta i l s a bo ut tr o u pe ArM5 were first slated in Hermes first issue, and the fanzine overall. subscriptions. Portal, including the spell mastery Atlas is generally supportive of its system, House mysteries and the fans, and is open about the growing cosmology of Mythic3 h direction and support for Ars Europe. Magica. I want to thank David Sub Rosa is a fan magazine for Ars Ma gi ca Fi fth Edition, written and produced by Ars fans, for Ars fans. As much as possible, I want this fanzi ne to be collectively owned by the fans, with its content driven by fans and aspiring authors. With ArM books released only every few months, I hope Sub Rosa fills the gap between releases. I strongly encourage you to consider contributing to this fanzine (see our website for details). Getting together Sub Rosa has been an eye opening challenge. In addition to my full time News from the Line Editor time will tell which are sustainable Here it is, a new Ars Magicafanzine. This is the fourth in an in the long term. David Chartillustrious line: Redcap, Mythic In addition, Normandy is thePerspectives, Hermes Portal, and mundanes all around. Other heartland of chivalric ideology, Tribunals might hark back to anow Sub Rosa. I'd like to welcome and this is reflected in theit, and thank all the readers for lost, classical past, but the magi of s tr uc tur e of the Tribuna l . Normandy are contemporary, up-supporting it. The vitality of the Covenants are linked by oathsfan community for Ars Magica is to-the-minute, and on the cutting closely modelled on feudal ties, edge of social development. Ina very important part of its and resources, particularly vissuccess, and we're very grateful short, the magi are almost as harvesting rights, are distributed medieval as the mundanes.for it. through a magical tournament held I'll be using this column to tell at the Tribunal. This scheme was, The next two supplements in thepeople a bit more about upcoming officially, supposed to reduce pipeline are Art & Acade me, andreleases, and my general thoughts conflict after the Schism War, but Realms of Power: Magic, butabout the game and where it is as it was designed by a Tytalus, it there isn't enough space to talkheaded. I'll be trying to avoid is perhaps not surprising that it about them this time. Saving somesimply reproducing PR material. seems to have had the opposite material for future articles is a effect. good policy in any case. The next supplement for thegame will be The Lion and The The Normandy Tribunal, as So, to wrap up, once again ILily, the Normandy Tribunal portrayed in this book, is a place would like to wish Sub Rosa allbook. It's really taken us far too where magi are almost part of the best; I hope it will be the mostlong to get around to doing the medieval society, and where successful Ars fanzine yet.core areas of Mythic Europe, and Hermetic structures have beenwhat is now northern France is strongly influenced by those of theabout as core as it gets, at least inmundane terms. In Hermeticterms, this is a problem. Guardiansof the Forests was about theconflict between the wildernessand the advance of civilisation. InNormandy, the wilderness has 4lost. It isn't completely gone, butwhat remains is small, isolatedfragments. Thus, the main themeof the book is the different ways inw hi ch covenants canaccommodate themselves to thepresence of mundane society. This is something that hasreceived little attention in the past. First Issue CompetitionThe Code of Hermes prohibitsinterference with the mundanes, Win an Ars Magica Supplementbut when there is a rapidly-growing mundane town less than Subscribers that buy a four issuean hours' walk from your covenant subscription from October 2007 will go intosimply avoiding all interaction is the running to win a copy of an Ars Magicaimpossible. The rulings of the supplement of your choice (currentN o r ma nd y T r i b una l t hus subscribers are automatically entered).constantly come back to the To subscribe, simply visit the Sub Rosaquestion of what counts as webpage (www.subrosamagazine.org) andinterference, and what is simply follow the instructions.per missible i nterac tion. Allcovenants have found their own The winner will be drawn on 1 November,solutions to the problem, and only and announced in the 2nd issue. Who’s Who? ed. After starring as “Toad” in the and wrote The Bishop’s Staff, for Mark Shirley 1995 independent film, “the four Ars Magica Fourth Edition. Mark Shirley is a zoologist and corners of nowhere,” (finally to be epidemiologist from Kent. He's released on DVD next year), he Jojo Aguilar been interested in Ars Magica moved to Los Angeles. He's been working ever since in the Jojo Aguilar grew up in since the 1st edition, and it has southern California. He now lives been his RPG of choice for the last animation industry, currently serving as the Associate Producer in Santa Monica with his wife, fiftee n years. He lives in Catherine. He works primarily in Newcastle upon Tyne with his two of “The Spectacular Spider-man” for Sony Animation. In between animation and that’s where he met ferrets. Eric Vesbit, (maybe around 12 meetings, you'll find him on the years ago,) and has been friends Eric Vesbit Atlas Ars Forum as “firth5”, ever since. “I love working with drumming up ideas for his two Eric Vesbit grew up in Grand Iberian sagas. He dedicates his Eric because he will always Rapids, Michigan, USA, and has work in this issue to Chris organize a good role playing been playing Ars Magica since 4th Richmond, who taught him all he campaign sooner or later.” Jojo knows about telling a good story. has a book of collected sketches a vail abl e a t thi s we bs i te : Pointless Mental Ben McFarland http://www.lulu.com/content/343182.

Cruelty Benjamin McFarland is a Angela Taylor

computer engineer who lives in Angela Taylor is, frankly, a Alex White upstate New York with his wife, housewife, though she still likes to son, two imperious cats and a Alex works full time for one of black Labrador that insists on call herself an English Teacher Australia’s largest trade unions, accompanying him to his weekly and occasionally thinks of herself juggling extensive volunteer work Ars Magica game. The Labrador. as a Mediaevalist. Since marrying and full-time studying a Masters Not the cats. Or the son. The son’s Neil she has learnt more than she'd of Public Policy. Alex has an not talking yet, which would make like to admit of RPGs, but she honours degree in Classical and joining the game tough, but that’s doesn't play them. Medieval History; he is the co- another matter. Ben’s working on author of Realms of Power: the that.5 Divine and Ancient Magic. He has Michael de Verteuil

h been an Ars Magica fan for over ten years. Michael is an Ars Magica elder, Mark Philp author and veteran of the BerkList. He was co-author of Ordo Nobilis Mark Philp is currently one of those annoying Customer Service Supervisors who frustrates callers endlessly. He’s a troubleshooter who’s established a call centre in Indone s ia , tra ve lli ng ove r 100,000 kms on the company payroll all with a fear of flying! He’s organised local conventions, was involved in several Gaming organizations in his home city of Adelaide in the 90’s, and ran a host of Games at Australian conventions across four states. Mark now resides in Melbourne, Australia where he enjoys being a gourmand and writing role- playing events with the various members of his production group, “Pointless Mental Cruelty”. The Art of Courtly Love Capellanus defines Love as: An Open Letter By Danielle Nichols . . .a certain inborn sufferingto the Magi of the derived from the sight of and V. That which a Lover takesAlpine Tribunal excessive meditation upon the beauty of the opposite sex, which against the will of his beloved has no relish. I write in hopes of beginning a causes each one to wish above alldiscussion concerning a new things the embraces of the other VI. Boys do not Love until theyelaboration upon Ovid's writings and by common desire to carry out arrive at the age of maturity.on Love. This book, entitled De all of Love's precepts in the other's embraces. VII. When one Lover dies, aArte Honeste Amandi, combines widowhood of two years isadvice first given by Ovid with He also lays down XXXI required of the survivor.traditions laid down in the songs codified Rules of Love, which areof the troubadours of southern the essence of guidelines given VIII. No one should be deprivedFrance in order to create a codified throughout the work, and which of Love without the very best ofand socially conscious set of rules provide a structure for our debate. reasons.for ‘Service in the army of Love.’ These are: IX. No one can Love unless he The a ut ho r , And r e a s I. Marriage is no real excuse for is impelled by the persuasion ofCapellanus, has written the book not Loving. Love.under the direction of CountessMarie of Champagne, daughter of II. He who is not jealous cannot X. Love is always a stranger inEleanor of Aquitaine. In the scant Love. the home of avarice.decades since its publication, this XI. It is not proper to Love anytreatise has moved across Europe, III. No one can be bound by a double Love. woman whom one should bespreading the culture of Queen ashamed to seek to marry.Eleanor's Court of Poitiers. It is IV. It is well known that Love istherefore my belief that the always increasing or decreasing. XII. A true Lover does notquestion of the place of magi desire to embrace in Love anyonewithin the Courts of Love is ani mpor ta nt one, of especialrelevance to House Jerbiton, whohave their esteemed Domus 6magnus within our Tribunal, aswell as to the Milites of my ownhouse who seek to follow the pathof Chivalry. The answering ofsuch a question is far beyond thecapabilities of one of my littleyears and experience, and so Ibring it to you, my sodales, in thehopes that we may find a suitableresponse to the conundrum. De Arte Honeste Amandi isdivided into three parts: Book I:Introduction to the Treatise onLove, Book II: How Love May beRetained, and Book III: TheRejection of Love. It is Book I —which deals with the definition ofLove, the eligibility for Love andthe procurement of Love — whichhas the most relevance to ourdiscussion, as it is in these areasthat the difference between amagus and other men is mostsignificant. except his beloved. thought of his beloved. life rather than be without Love. XIII. When made public Love XXXI. Nothing forbids one What magus would be deprived rarely endures. woman being Loved by two men of his Gift for Love? Or, in a less or one man by two women. extreme case, how many magi XIV. The easy attainment of would trade time spent within the Love makes it of little value; There are three questions which laboratory for time spent in the difficulty of attainment makes it I seek to answer with this letter: embraces of a Lover? Even should prized. Are magi fit for Love? What place a magus be so afflicted, should does the Art have in Love? and time be thus spent? Or do magi, XV. Every Lover regularly Where in the social order do magi pale in the presence of his like peasants to their plowing, fall with regard to Love? have a duty to their study which beloved. makes Love an inappropriate XVI. When a Lover suddenly Are magi fit for hardship from which they should catches sight of his beloved his Love? avoid? Perhaps one could even go heart palpitates. so far as to suggest that magi have Ca pe l l a nus s t a te s t ha t, a tie to magic itself which eclipses XVII. A new Love puts to flight ‘Everyone of sound mind who is any bond to another person? an old one. capable of doing the work of Venus may be wounded by one of If magi are to be counted among XVIII. Good character alone the armies of Love, then another makes any man worthy of Love. Love's arrows unless prevented by age, or blindness, or excess of question remains about when they passion.’ He excludes from this may join its service. Andreas XIX. If Love diminishes, it two groups who though capable of suggests that girls below 12 are quickly fails and rarely revives. Love should not practice it: nuns, not fit for Love by natural law, XX. A man in Love is always who by engaging in acts of Love and that boys below 18 are too apprehensive. bring down the wrath of God upon overcome with embarrassment and their partners and are thus unfit, as awkwardness to properly serve it. XXI. Real jealousy always Is this true for magi as well? I well as peasants, who have neither increases the feeling of Love. personally believe that a case the time nor the emotional capacity to practice Love well. It could be made that no magus still XXII. Jealousy, and therefore is possible that magi, like nuns and within apprenticeship is fit for Love, are increased when one peasants, can feel Love but should Love, as they are not truly their suspects his beloved. not practice it, as there are many own person and furthermore their XXIII. He whom the thought of barriers between magi and Love. time is not their own. Love vexes, eats and sleeps very7 little. The first barrier is the Gift, It is also stated that after the which stands as a bar between 50th year in a woman, and 60th in XXIV. Every act of a Lover magi and others. It seems that the a man, Love can find no hold on ends with in the thought of his feelings of revulsion and suspicion account of humeral changes, the beloved. engendered by the Gift are loss of heat and gain of moisture, incompatible with the feelings of which occur at this age. Do these XXV. A true Lover considers rules also hold true for magi? The desire needed to foster Love. If the nothing good except what he lifespan of a magus is much longer gift is a barrier, we must also thinks will please his beloved. than that of a normal man or consider those magi whose gift is Gentle or Blatant, and how the woman due to the longevity XXVI. Love can deny nothing potions which we begin to to Love. strictures put upon them differ. consume in our third decade. XXVII. A Lover can never have The other barrier is the Art However, these same longevity enough of the solaces of his itself, which consumes so much of potions encourage infertility, beloved. our time and devotion. The which may be a sign of the same Treatise sates that: humeral changes. I look especially XXVIII. A slight presumption to those of House Jerbiton who causes a Lover to suspect his Every attempt of a Lover tends have made such a study of beloved. toward the enjoyment of the longevity potions and their effects embraces of her whom he Loves. . to enlighten us on this matter. XXIX. A man who is vexed by .Therefore in the sight of a Lover too much passion usually does not nothing can be compared to the What place has the Love. act of Love, and a true Lover would rather be deprived of. . . Art in Love? XXX. A tr ue Lover i s everything that the human mind c o ns t a n t l y a n d w i t h o u t can imagine as indispensable to It is stated multiple times within intermission possessed by the the dialogues of the Treatise that possession of the Gift more similar to that of a Lesser enters into this Noble? A Higher one? I would put discussion. Is it part forward that the status of a monk of one's character, or is most similar to that of the some other property magus, but if this is so, it only of the person? In complicates matters as, our status either case is it not coming from the service of something to be taken God, we should not feel obligated into account, and if to discount it in Love. Also, so, is it a desirable similar to the priest, a magus could trait or a negative be said to have two classes, that of one? Lastly, is it his position in the Art, and that of more appropriate for his birth, which varies greatly magi to take other among members of our Order. magi as Lovers than Therefore a case could be made, to take a mundane? though I do not support it, that This discussion, of magi should be enlisted in Love's course, is related to army by the class of their birth. that concerning the social effects of Gift. This question ultimately is one of relative position and approach Where in the when making a suit for a member of a certain class. Nobility in Love social order is only significant in so much as it do magi fall affects the Character. Magi, as a learned and philosophical class, with regard possessed of wealth, responsibilityLove must be given of free will. to Love? and cultural refinement, need notThis calls into question the place feel inferior in socializing with aof magic in procuring Love. It can The Treatise lays out three count or a countess, and so Ibe seen quite clearly that spells of social classes for women, and four personally am inclined to place usthe school of Mentem which act for men. The ranks of Middle at the level of the Higher Nobilitydirectly upon the subject's mind Class, Lesser Nobility, and Higher in the affairs of Love.abrogate free will, but what of the Nobility are shared by men and I eagerly await the thoughts andmany Imaginem spells which act women, with a man taking the ideas of my sodales on this matterto make one seem more pleasant? class of his birth and a woman the and all others discussed here, and 8Are these truly different from the class of either her birth or look to your expertise, both incareful application of rouge, or the husband. The fourth class listed a ns w e r i ng t he s e di f fi c ul tpurc hase of finel y tailored for men is that of the Highest questions, and putting forth othersclothing? If some magic is Nobility, the priesthood. However, which need be asked that I maypermissible in the pursuit of Love as the status of priest comes from have passed over. It is my eagerand other spells are not, where God (hence its exalted state) and hope that our discussions mayshould this line be drawn? the practice of Love is one of pr ove both di ver ti ng a nd which God does not truly approve, Andreas lists Character as the enlightening. priests must claim the status ofhighest virtue when seeking a their birth in affairs of Love.Lover, above concerns such as -- Zephra boni --wealth or physical beauty. (A It is a difficult thing to placedecision for which I commend magi within this order, for we holdhim.) We must discuss how ourselves apart from it. Is our state Covenant Locations: Masada Short History of For many sagas, the choice of By Ben McFarland covenant location can set the tenor of more than just the first arc, it the Fortress can define the whole game-- or, at Originally the palace of the very least, determine its Herod the Great in the direction for a number of sessions. south of Israel and situated Sometimes it is the region itself atop of an isolated rock that the Storyguide intends to hold plateau, Masada is on the the players’ focus, and players eastern edge of the Judean might be provided a number of Desert overlooking the possible sites from which they will Dead Sea. Josephus, the select their characters' new home. Jewish-Roman historian of In an attempt to add variety to the Vespasian claimed that old saw of 'a castle on a hill by a Masada was the site of a faerie wood,' the following siege against the Jewish location is presented. It isn't Sicarii fugitives by the intended to be a full reference, but Roman Legion X Fretensis provide an overview for further in the Great Jewish Revolt. research. They established eight camps at the base of the Levant Ma s a d a roc k a nd Tribunal: surrounded it with a high wall, leaving no escape for rebels. Whe n de fea t Covenant became imminent in 73 Location: Masada AD, the survivors chose mass suicide over slavery. The plateau is located at A small group of women 31°18'58.32" North latitude, and children supposedly 35°21'13.30" East longitude. survived by hiding in a Google Earth can provide an cistern and related the story9 excellent overview and local to Josephus. Afterwards, photos. It is about 35 miles from Legionnaires continued to Jerusalem through the desert and occupy the site for some about three and a half miles from time. the southern tip of the Dead Sea. Breakdown of This image is a copy of a portion of Depending on the timeframe of your saga, the fortress is within the the Fortress http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/europe Kingdom of Jerusalem (1099- _12thcentury_1884.jpg, a map from the map 1187), or the Sultanate of Egypt The cliffs are roughly collection of the Perry-Castañeda Library (PCL) ruled by Saladin (1187-1218) or 1300 feet high on the of the University of Texas at Austin and is Public his brother, al-Kamil Muhammad eastern edge and 300 feet Domain. al-Malik, who succeeded him. on the west. Natural paths to the cliff top are very difficult, masonry partitions, which divide the Be tw e e n 1228 a nd 1244, space into a series of chambers for Jerusalem was given by al-Kamil the primary one was known as the “Snake Trail” from the east (from fill or storage. to the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. The city fell in 1244 the Dead Sea), the “White Rock” The fortress included storehouses, to the Khawarizmi Turks, who from the west, and two approaches barracks, an armory, the palace, and were later, in 1260, replaced by from north and south. The plateau cisterns that were refilled by the Mamelukes. Given Masada’s has a surface area of 2130 feet rainwater. Three narrow, winding proximity to the city, it is (710 yards) by 984 feet (328 paths led from below to fortified reasonable to e xpec t some yards). There was a casemate wall gates. The Roman siege ramp is 328 mundane influence from the city’s around the top of the plateau feet long from the valley floor to the rulers. totaling 4,300 feet long and 12 walls on the western side, where the foot thick with many towers. Such Romans breached them. a wall usually has an outer and an inner portion braced by transverse Masada Map Key 1. Small bathhouse 2. Herod's palace-villa 3. Storerooms 4. Apartment building 5. Snake-path gate 6. Casemate wall 7. Rebels' living quarters 8. Underground cistern 9. Southern bastion 10. Western palace 11. Throne room One lookout station was placed mosaic floors werein the center of the community located on the eastern 12. West gatefrom which any area of the hilltop side. The largest roomcould be monitored. ha s a pa r ti c ul a rl y 13. Synagogue decorative mosaic floor The “Hanging Palace,” on the 14. Large bathhouse with floral and geometricnorthern end of the summit, patterns within severalextended down the promontory of concentric square bandsthe mountain on three levels. The that survived well intolowest level is 115 feet from the modern times. This roomtop. Winding staircases provided may have been Kinga c c e s s to e a c h l e ve l . It Herod’s throne roomcomma nded a view of the when he was in residencesurroundings as far as Ein-Gedi. It at Masada. The westernwas built in three tiers, with only palace is the largestthe upper tier containing the living building found on the 10quarters and the lower ones site.designed for pleasure. The wallsand ceilings were decorated with South of the Northernfrescoes. Palace was a large, traditional Roman-style The second, larger palace was bathhouse with fourlocated on the western side of the rooms and a court. Themountain. It contained scores of l a r ge s t r oo m, t herooms and installations. It was a caldarium ha d aself-sufficient unit, serving as the hypocaust beneath it andmain administration center of the its floor stood on aboutfortress, as well as the king’s 200 tiny brick columns. Aceremonial palace. The building furnace drove hot airconsists of four wings: a vast royal through perforated clayapartment, a service and workshop pipes set in the walls.section, storage rooms and an Herod the Great built aadministrative unit. In the royal water system by installingapartment, many rooms were built dams in the nearbyaround a central courtyard. A large valleys to divert theroom with two Ionic columns winter rains into channelssupporting the roof over the wide that directed the wateropeni ng i nto the courtyard into cisterns built in theoccupied the southern side. Its northwest side of thewalls were decorated with cliff. From there, slavesmoulded panels of white stucco. carried the water to theSeveral rooms with colored upper reservoir. number of minor Resource Hooks children be prevented from hiding would also be appropriate — such in the cistern, the Magic aura of The public storerooms, situated a s Contes ted Re sourc e or the site will drop by one and the east and south of the bathhouse, Indiscreet Resource. Given the Dominion aura will rise by one consisted of long narrow rooms Religious/Political nature of the until the sequence plays out again built from large stone slabs. Most Levant, a Rival Relations Hook is next year. This year, a more of these rooms had collapsed in also appropriate. This gives the devout member of the covenfolk, the destruction of the supplies by players room for at least four to one that speaks Hebrew, attempts the Jewish rebels. seven more points worth of Boons. to convince the ghosts not to The remains of a synagogue surrender, but face the Romans — could be found in the north- Story Seed: that they should all die in defense western corner of Masada. It is a Ghostly Siege of their beliefs rather than by their own hand, believing this might rectangular building oriented toward Jerusalem with four tiers of It is said that the Tenth Legion just free them! Will it work? What plastered benches along the walls prepared to break down the gates would be the result? What if a and two rows of columns in the on the 16th of April, and on the rival covenant insinuates a spy center. Ritual objects were kept in night of the 15th, the compound with an item that would allow the a corner room. Rebels constructed becomes alive with spirits escapee ghosts to be destroyed? the temple on the base of an earlier reenacting portions of that siege Can the spy be found before the Herodian temple. A pagan Roman and the subsequent mass suicide. aura is damaged? garrison occupied Masada for These spirits can be interacted some time after the defeat. with to some extent, but are Whether or not a Dominion aura limited to an area that was their exists on this site one thousand responsibility in life. This all years later is a matter for the culminates in the drawing of lots Storyguide. on shards of pottery and the mass suicide, followed by a spectral

h It would be simple to place a blaze and the storming of the fort Faerie/Janni Landlord Major Hook by the ghos ts of Roma n here, providing a covenant with Legionnaires. Should the ghosts of three more minor boons. Any the two Jewish women and five

Fortifications, Major Boons: Relations, Minor Hook: Masada, Wikipedia

Curtain Walls and Mural Unsafe

Towers Surroundings, Minor Hook: Fortifications, Major Hooks: Massacre Site Castle Net Total: Two more minor Hooks than Boons. Hermetic Vignettes “MARCUS!! Get down here of worry mixed with confusionimmediately,” the well-dressed naked upon his face. “Your wish, By Kurt Konegenman shouted. Almost all of the Magister?” he blurted. Then hecaged birds and rodents screeched saw the remains of the jar. final flourish and shout and theand chattered in startlement and Marcus’s look quickly changed to water gently crept back into theprotest. one of wide-eyed surprise and jar. The boy placed the jar back horror. “But Master Alexander, into its proper place in the Alexander Jerbitonis was in a I…” he choked. apparatus, the sparkle endemic totruly high fury. He was looking at his magic already beginning tothe remains the earthenware jar “Latin!” Alexander snapped, fade.that used to reside at the terminal taking a step forward.end of his vis extraction apparatus. “Huh,” grunted Alexander. In his mind, Alexander heard inThe pieces, made from clay he had a gently chiding voice, “Carefully, The magus looked shrewdly atpersonally collected from ‘a now. Don’t turn him to ash.” his apprentice, paused, and thenparticularly beautiful section of with a flick of a finger Alexanderthe Blue Nile’, and the formerly The boy stopped stammering, sent the jar to the floor again. “Dopure water that the jar had stood up straight, and took a deep it again,” he waved. Marcus, withcontained were cast all over the breath. Marcus continued in a slightly less desperation but withfloor at the end of the lab table. To s ome w ha t a c c e nte d La ti n. obvious effort, did.make matters worse, it was very “Magister, I don’t know how itlate and he had just returned from was broken. I had left everything “Well done, lad,” Alexanderan especially difficult Council in good condition.” said grudgingly. With that, hemeeti ng. Why, he thought, turned to his bedchamber. Marcuspurchasing a casting tablet for an “I don’t care! I leave you in overheard him say, “You’re righteighth magnitude Aegis should be charge of the lab so I can go try to Bellatrix, he does have talent ina difficult decision HE’LL never talk some sense into a particularly Rego. We’ll have to push himknow! mule-headed Rudolf Bonisagi only harder.” to see that you weren’t up to the Bellatrix, his familiar, meowed task. I had expected better from As Alexander left, the cata protest from his arms as the you at this stage!” Alexander crawled up on his shoulder andpetting became too firm. He tisk- punctuated each phrase with a looked back at Marcus. That dayed an apology to her, then took a large wave of his hand and Marcus leaned that cats coulddeep breath. “NOW, Marcus!!” he finished his point by pointing right wink. 12roared again to a fresh round of at the boy’s chest. Marcus didn’tscreeches and chitters. dare move. Alexander gritted his Just as his master finishedshouting his name, the unfortunatelad, about fourteen summers in teeth and growled, “Fix it. Now.” Marcus looked pleadingly back at his teacher. Ale xa nder just h growled again and moved a littleage and a bit on the gangly side, closer.rounded the corner at a dead run. “First,” said Bellatrix, in utterlyHe appeared out of breath, a look Marcus turned to the spill, flawless, calm, and pedantic Latin quickly looked around, dashed to from her perch on the eave of the one of the shelves and hefted a storage shed’s roof, “you didn’t large lidded tub from one of the study your prey properly. You’re a lower shelves, bringing it over to smart lad, but for some reason the spill. Removing the lid, he known only to your God, you let grabbed a largish glob of slightly your knowledge of that fact give damp clay and pushed the pieces you permission to be lazy. Your of the jar into it. Yelling Latin and intellect allows and requires you to almost desperately waving his be more diligent, not less.” arms, Marcus caused the pieces to Marcus was trying to fit the join. With further shouting and parts of one of the barrels together very carefully gesturing with one so that he could fix it. ha nd w hi l e to uc hi ng t he assembled pieces with the other, “Second, you must remember he refashioned the clay jar into your magic theory. There are only something like its old shape. A so many things that any apprentice can do unless one is very, VERY It had been a beautiful day that approaches.” lucky, and counting on that luck is was shaping up into a truly worse than foolish sometimes. spectacular evening. Four old He indicated a small hill about Remember when your master tried friends were sitting in a loose arc, 200 paces westward from their to build that small bridge out of open to the west, around the balcony, where a girl sat and a boy raw logs? And he is much more remains of a good dinner. The Sun stood. The boy started to sing capable than you. Set your tasks had set a short while ago and stars loudly and well. As he continued within your capabilities, except in were starting to appear in the to sing, he started to move in a grave circumstances.” crystal clear sky, even with the somewhat da nce-like pattern light of the gibbous moon high around the young woman. After a Marcus had finished the barrel, overhead. God is indeed a great few minutes the wildflowers that and moved it back into position. artist, mused Ale xa nder to were still apparent under the clear He turned next to his clothing and himself. night sky started to sparkle a bit began carefully wringing out the and then began to move. foul-smelling liquid. “So, Alexander, it appears that young Marcus’ fancy for my Leila “Using his sigil to good effect, “Third and finally, you need to continues,” said the older magus, there,” opined Adolfus. Bellatrix remember that startled prey is interrupting Alexander’s reverie. managed to look smug and desperate prey, and is therefore “His persistence is impressive, and satisfied at the same time. “I’ll less predictable. Set your trap so I must say that his creativity give it to you Jerbiton,” Adolfus as to channel their reactions and, impresses me also. But I’m continued, looking at Alexander, more specifically, channel them beginning to think he’s being “you all certainly have style.” away from you.” coached,” he continued, giving The flowers moved in patterns The cat jumped down next to an Bellatrix a very significant look. of c onti nuous l y i nc re asi ng amulet lying on the ground where Bellatrix sniffed and looked at an complexity. This continued for it landed when Marcus got obscure constellation. some minutes to the obvious knocked off the stack of barrels. Adolfus ruffled his feathers delight of girl they danced for. The violently. “Come now, Rudolf! girl then slowly stood as the “Now, for all of that, you did flowers continued to dance and well. Picking Rudolf’s latest There’s no ‘think’ about it. Bellatrix is actively involved and then a breeze briefly ruffled the apprentice as your target does grass. have the virtue of being bold and you know it!” If owls could snort, you certainly have her attention. Adolfus would have. “Oh, now that was subtle! If I Be warned, however, you will now Bellatrix immediately gave up didn’t know her sigil, I would have to live up to that. She’s a fine any pretense at indifference. never have caught that. I wonder13 girl, as Alexander said earlier. But “That’s just because YOU’VE what she is going to do with the also, please remember that Rudolf been telling her that she should set information.” Alexander turned to Bonisagi is one of the best her standards so high! Sweet Rudolf and said, “You never told teachers in the Order. Further, mouse heads, Adolfus. A judging by what she did to you year and a half?! Oh, and today, his current apprentice is a for the record, his very good student who is living up persistence is all his own. to the compliment of his tutelage. He truly is enthralled with She’s not going to waste time with her. I simply tell him to a mate of only mediocre ability – trust his own judgment. hunting ability or otherwise.” Repeatedl y. And in “Now come along,” said the detail.” She finished with lady warrior as she pointed with a tone that acknowledged her paw and lifted the amulet her complicity. around Marcus’ neck. “That R ud ol f c huc kl e d. noisome smell will disappear “Point to Adolfus,” he shortly, and we have some murmured as Adolfus planning to do if we are going to carefully resettled an catch that one out again.” u n us ua l l y fi ddl y pinfeather.

h Al e xa nde r fi na l l y spoke. “Friends, if I may redirect your attention, I believe the mome ntme she was that subtle.” She then turned and went to curl Alexa nder chuc kled while up in her companion’s lap. rubbing his leg. He waved at the Rudolf smiled. “Amicus, you hillside and offered, “Well, theredon’t know all my secrets.” The friends continued to watch are some games I can’t get tiredAlexander acknowledged the point the display for a time and then of.” He winced at Bellatrix, whoand turned back. The girl was Alexander spoke up again, this ignored him most thoroughly.obviously thinking and the display time brightly. “Well, that was “Perdo, for certain. And a bitwas holding up very well. some good effort on prepared and about the Code.” i mp r o vi s e d s p e l l w or k i n Then the girl spoke in gentle but Imaginem, Vim, Rego, Intelligo, “Agreed.”very penetrating tones as another and Muto. It’s Midsummer’s Eveslight breeze ruffled the hillside. so what say we give them the And the four left the balcony –The display widened from perhaps night and then hammer them with two hunters, two old campaigners,a 20-pace radius to the entire Perdo over the next couple and four very dedicated teachers.hillside and then as far as the eye season…could see. There were a couple ofquiet gasps from the group and “OW!” Bellatrix re-sheathed herBellatrix carefully stood. She claws while Rudolf laughed outwalked over to her companion’s loud at his friend. “Careful oldfriend, nuzzled the old man’s friend, it appears that you haven’tcheek, and said, “She’s brilliant, entirely left your Tytalus heritageRudolf. Simply brilliant.” She then behind.”

hhh 14 The Tartalo An Encounter Calatrava has paid a visit in order By Eric Vesbit to gather stories from its members with a Tartulo and put them to parchment.

Detailed below is an encounter Backstory Approaching the

with this Tartalo, set at an outpost along the main eastern pass of the An immature Tartalo was Outpost Pyrenees. The outpost is on one of discovered by a hunting party The characters approach the the highest points of the pass, from the outpost, and killed. The outpost that evening, just as night where the old, narrow Roman road body was taken back to the falls. Play up the sense of skirts along a white granite cliff. outpost to show the curious foreboding as they come upon the To the north of the road, the cliff historian. The beast’s mother scene of the empty keep, and the rises hundreds of meters into the trailed the hunting party that night massacre. Carrion birds, such as air, and to south, the cliff falls to the outpost, and staged a griffon vultures, circle, and a away into the mists below. The surprise attack. She climbed down lammergeier is seen dropping a walls of the outpost completely the cliffside and dropped into the femur from a great height, in order cover the road, forcing travelers to open courtyard. Sneaking from to crack it open and get to the pay a toll to pass. It is a desolate, room to room, she slaughtered the sweet marrow within. The stench if picturesque locale. The outpost sleeping inhabitants, until she was of blood and something earthier is is currently run by a small discovered. A pitched battle in the air. Nothing can be heard contingent of the Knights of ensued, driving the beast into the above the wind but an occasional Calatrava as a minor source of courtyard. She entered a Berserker faint, heavy wooden “thock.” (The income. The Knights also serve to rage, and killed the rest of the sound of a door on the far side of keep the peace between the fierce soldiers. In her rage, she ripped the outpost swinging closed, rivals on either side of the the corpses apart, ate her fill, and hitting a fallen corpse, and mountains: The Count of Foix to flung the rest of the remains over rebounding.) the east, and the Bishop of the edge of the cliff. Spent, but Andorra to the west. When not still angry, she retreated into a The heavy doors in front of the soldiering, the monks raise goats, small storage area in the rear of characters may or may not be tend a small garden in the the stables, wrapped herself in locked, depending on the skill set courtyard, and hunt the wilds of supernatural darkness, and bed and magic available to the PC’s.15 the Pyrenees for isard. Recently, down for the day. an historian for the Order of The Outpost Describe the massacre within inas much visual detail as the failinglight allows. The entrance of thecharacters disturbs a few bravevultures. The smell of the Tartalois everywhere, for she has markedher new territory, and her urine isseeped in rage. The spirits of anyrestless dead may whisper by.Blood and gore is strewn about. Ahalf-eaten torso, still garbed in theblack tabard of the Order, iscarelessly flung in a corner. A doghas been ripped in half. Twospears and a shield can be foundscattered amongst the remains. Astray helm contains the contents ofits former wearer . . . The outpost is a fairly typicalconstruction of Roman origin,located under nea th a grea toverhang of granite that shields itfrom falling rocks. It is a two-storyaffair, with rooms built along theinterior wall, surrounding a widecourtyard. Two areas of note aredescribed below.

The Nest At the rear of the stables, thecharacters will find a smallstoreroom. Across the threshold ofthe doorway is a sheet of 16impenetrable darkness. The smell The Tartaloof the Tartalo here is nearly The Tartalo is similar to a Greco-Roman Cyclops, but nocturnal, andoverpowering. highly magical. Hermetic scholars theorize that the race may be As it is nightfall, the creature descended from two cyclopean wards brought to Iberia by Hercules whenwill waken shortly from its day of he founded Barcelona. These beings were said to eventually guard hisrest. If it is still asleep, a low slow final resting place. Due to the existence of the Tartalo, scholars posit thatbreathing can be heard coming this must be somewhere in the Pyrenees mountains.from within the void. A great hulk of a creature, the Tartalo is known for preying on children The creature will wake on an and sheep in the craggy regions of the Basque country. Its huge, perfectlyawareness roll of 9+, modified by black eye is the source of its magic. This particular Tartalo female is fondthe following chart: of stalking the mountain passes through the western Pyrenees, preying on travelers. Recently she has been driven from her homeland by the Order +3 Daytime of Santiago, whose hospices along the pilgrimage pass to St. James of Compostela have made her hunting grounds much less safe. She and her -3 Characters have made brood have been traveling east through the Pyrenees, and have stumbledloud noises upon the main eastern route, between Foix to the east and Andorra to the -3 Characters are emitting west.stronger than average scents Only mature Tartalo have the Rego and Mentem powers (and vis) of Once wakened, the creature their fully-formed eye. Immature Tartalo (age 1 through 15) do have 1creeps to just inside the door, pawn of Perdo Vis, and can still use Nesting within the Void, but withoutlistening and sniffing the air. If a the accompanying Mentem effects.character approaches to within a Tartalo (Mature Female) pace of the threshold, he will be Magic Might: 15 startled as a clawed arm suddenly lashes out of the darkness, and Char: Int -2, Per 1, Pre 0, Com -3, Str +6, Sta +4, Dex 0, Qik 1 attempts to pull him into the void. Size: +3 If the c haracters do not approach the stable, the Tartalo Age: 15 – 60 will sneak out and attempt to Virtues and Flaws: Nocturnal Hunter*; Berserk; One Eye surprise the characters. Her general modus operandi is to * The Tartalo can see in the dark as per the spell Eyes of the Cat. It is also corner a character in a room, and extremely sensitive to light: constant bright light (e.g.. sunlight) causes cast Nesting within the Void. agitation, -1 to all attacks, and forces a Berserk check. Sudden light will Alternatively, she attempts to dazzle for 1 round, if she fails a Sta 9+ stress die. The Tartalo has an make eye contact with a character, excellent sense of smell, giving a +3 to Awareness rolls involving smell. and use Trapped Within the Reaper’s Gaze. If all else fails, her Personality Traits: Angry +5 (toward humans that killed her son), strong claws will inflict plenty of Bloodthirsty +3, Sneaky +1 damage in a brawl. Reputations: Infant and livestock eater 3 (Basques) She considers the characters Combat: more examples of the humans who killed her offspring, and easily Large Claws: Init +1, Atk +9, Dfn +8, Dam +10 leaps into a Berserker rage in an all-out battle. Note that she was Cudgel: Init +2, Atk +6, Dfn +4, Dam +13 probably wounded the night Soak: Body +9, Eye +15 before, determine her current wound level based on the power Fatigue: OK/0/0/-1/-1/-3/-5/Unconscious level of the PC’s. If you need more out of her, one of her other Wound Penalties: -1 (1-8), -3 (9-16), -5 (17-24), Incapacitated (25-32) brood, or even her mate, may be nesting within the stable. Abilities: Awareness 3 (food), Athletics 3 (climbing), Brawl 3 (claw), Concentration 1 (eye contact), Hunt 4 (travelers), Pyrenees Area Lore 2 The Historian’s Room (Mountain passes), Survival 3 (Pyrenees), Stealth 2 (mountains), Great Weapon 1 (cudgel) A second floor room housed the Order’s Historian. Quills and other Equipme nt: Ragged loin cloth, roughshod jewelry (bits of bone woven17 stationary can be found scattered into braids, etc.) The Tartalo generally gathers shiny possessions of its by the recent melee, as well as his victims within its nest. Some Tartalo have learned to carry a large, crude History. This serves as Tractatus cudgel to avoid getting within reach of the sharp metal sticks of humans. on the Knights of Calatrava (Qual Encumbrance: 0 (Load 2, with cudgel) 10), Area Lore of New Castile (Qual 5), and a History of the Powers: (Note: The Tartalo cannot use its powers while berserk.) Reconquista (Qual 5). This history, if returned, would be quite Nesting within the Void: 3 points, Init -5, Mentem: As the spell Well valuable to their Order. The last Without Light with D: Room. The Tartalo casts this in any niche it finds page of the journal tells of how the amidst the mountains, when it beds down for the day. Any intelligent being hunting party encountered the unlucky enough to enter the Void must make a Brave check of 9+. Failure young Tartalo, which was later indicates an immediate loss of direction, and a -1 to all actions until he leaves identified as such by “Señor the Void. A botch indicates the character has fainted. Selatse de Navarre”, of the Basque Trapped Within the Reaper’s Gaze: 0 points, Init +1, Mentem: When people. the Tartalo makes eye contact, the victim is overcome by the perfect, endless darkness swirling within the orb as per the description for the hermetic spell Confusion of the Numbed Will. The power only lasts as long as the Tartalo maintains eye contact and concentrates.

h Vis: The Tartalo’s eye consists of 1 pawn of Mentem, 1 pawn of perdo, and 1 pawn of rego. The Tartalo’s eye is prized by Necromancers, Criamon theorists, and occult seers alike. It can be used as the base element of a scrying tool, or of a device to control ghosts. Appearance: A hulking creature, with thick mottled grey skin and huge claws, the Tartalo’s most dominating feature is the huge, perfectly black eye in the center of its brow. The Tartalo generally wears a ragged loin cloth, and weaves bits of bone into its hair. Some are know to wear the jewelry of their victims, and carry a large cudgel. The Poor Knights of the Temple of Solomon Fr e e ma s o ni c hi s t or y t ha t In Ars Magica canon, theKnights Templar ─ that enigmatic predominates in many other By Alex Whitechivalric order that flourished popular conceptions of the Poorfrom 1119 to 1312 ─ are little Knights of the Temple. The recent Many thanks to Michaël demore than a mundane success of books like The Verteuil for his advice, assistancemilitary monastic order Da Vinci Code is a and help. Acknowledgements alsothat bore arms in the likely culprit, as well to my fellow Realms of Power:name of Christ, as the innumerable The Divine authors.fought in the Holy pse udo- his toric alLand during the b o o ks , w hi c h Money and War: saturate the schlockCrusades, and actedas i nte r na ti ona l history sections of from the Temple tobankers tha t all good bookstores, notably Holy Blood, La Forbiebankrolled kings andlords alike. Holy Grail. In the years following the Dismayed by Ars Magica’s bloody capture of Jerusalem in The Order of the Temple is not 1099 by the soldiers of the Firstaccorded a mention in ArM5. strict and dull adherence to the historical record, I desired a more Crusade, the victorious CrusadersT he y ma ke a l a c kl us tr e divided their conquered lands intoappearance in Mythic Tapestry, legendary Order of the Temple. Given the modern proliferation of four territories. The pre-eminentafter a history in ArM3 of being kingdom was that of Jerusalemovershadowed by fictional orders, trashy historical ‘exposés’ of the Templars, and the wealth of itself, ruled by Godfrey ofsuch as the Order of St. Mary (in Bouillon as ‘Advocate of the HolyPax Dei). In Blood and Sand, a contemporary accounts of the Templars, I felt that there was Sepulchre’. With Christians insaga seed describes a few options command of the Christian holyfor the Poor Knights: diabolists or room enough for a mythic Order of the Temple in Ars Magica. This places, the well-trodden pilgrimpowerful sorcerers. Another story routes came under pressure fromseed on the same page presents the is the first of a series of five articles about the Kni ghts the surrounding Muslim powers.possibility of the Order of Hermes As the crusaders who had wrestedforming its own military wing to Templar. The articles will present the Holy Land from the hands of 18combat Islam. In Realms of the Templars: the Muslims returned to Europe inPower: The Divine, the militant 1. As nothing more than an startling numbers, and with aKnightly Orders are sketched, and Order of knights that were adept in precarious succession situation ina Knight Templar template is the politics of money and war; the Kingdom of Jerusalem, aincluded; it is hinted here that they proposal was made by twopractice secret mysteries and have 2. As the military wing of the knights.strange powers. Beyond these Order of Hermes;minor appearances, they rate noserious mention. Odd for such an 3. As a secret order of esoteric The Order Formsimportant medieval organisation, craftmasons, heir to the secrets of Hugh of Payns and Godfrey ofwhose reach a nd i nfl ue nce ancient magical and hieratic Saint-Omer, two knights whostretched across Europe and traditions; arrived in Jerusalem after thebeyond. Cr usade, s ugge s te d tha t a 4. As pious soldiers in the The modern legacy of the Divine Military Order; and community of knights under aTemplars is as an order of monastic rule be formed for the 5. As the diabolical heretics that protection of the pilgrims en routeoccultists par excellence, as secret saw their dissolution in 1312. to the Christian sacred sites. Kingmasters that manipulated kingsand popes for their own ends, as Baldwin (I or II) and the Patriarch This project began in 2002, butheirs to the mysteries of heretical of Jerusalem approved. On has been delayed many years dueCathars, and in their own day, as Christmas Day, 1119, Hugh of to various other projects, anthe guardians of that most Payns and his eight companions, honours degree, a new job and themagnificent legend: the Holy among them Godfrey, Andrew of release of Ars Magica FifthGrail. Rightly or wrongly, it is the Montbard, Archambaud of Saint- Edition. Aignan, Payen of Montdidier, degeneracy. So great was the moral authority of Clairvaux and Bernard that for forty years the monastery was the spiritual centre of Europe, with men from the ends of the world journeying to the monastery for advice. Among the luminaries who emerged from Clairvaux were a pope, the archbishop of York and countless bishops and cardinals.

Papal Endorsement By 1127, with an official membership list of only the original founding members, Hugh of Payns journeyed to Europe to seek support for the Levantine kingdoms and to gain papal sanction for his order. His trip was stunningly successful. King Henry I generously donated ‘great treasures’, the other temporal lords all gave endowments to the Order. Among the prelates of the Church who heard Hugh’s petition to gain Papal endorsement was Bernard of Clairvaux, a man deeply indebted to Hugh’s liege, the Count of Cha mpa gne a nd nephew of Andrew of Montbard. At this meeting, the Templar Rule was presented, scrutinised and revised. Geoffrey Bissot and Roland, took with the few remaining soldiers19 their vows of poverty, chastity and left hi m. In 1119, slavers While the clergy at that meeting obedience in the Church of the massacred a party of pilgrims were concerned with a Rule Holy Sepulchre. journeying to Jerusalem. Soon it designed to preserve the knights’ was dangerous to leave the city souls, its result was to form a In order that they may be unprotected. military unit under tight discipline provided with sufficient means to that were unaffected by the accomplish their role, both King The Order Grows shifting circumstances that were and Patriarch endowed the nascent typical of feudal levies. Pope Order with living quarters and The Poor Knights were soon to Honorius II duly confirmed the generous benefices. They received come under even more powerful endorsement of the Templars, and a wing of the royal palace, the patronage. By 1125 the Order was upon his return to Clairvaux, former al-Aqsa mosque on the the recipient of boons and gifts Bernard composed his treatise ‘In southern edge of Temple Mount. from many European magnates. t he P r a i s e o f t he Ne w This site was more commonly Hugh of Champagne gave his Knighthood’. known as Templum Salomonis: lands to his nephew and took on the Temple of Solomon. From the Order’s vows. With Papal endorsement, Hugh these prestigious living quarters returned to Palestine to continue came their name: The Poor Count Hugh, the former liege- the Christian offensive against the Knights of Jesus Christ and the lord of Hugh of Payns, was also Muslims. He left behind several of Temple of Solomon. instrumental in the rise and rise of the Order’s founders to continue Bernard of Fontaines-les-Dijon, recruiting knights and gaining Although originally the Poor patriarch of the monastic order of support from Europe’s great lords. Knights wished to live under their the Cistercians, founded in 1098. Donations were made by all kinds priestly vows, King Baldwin, their Bernard, after the founding of of people from all walks of life, patron, was well aware of his Clairvaux, castigated the wealthy from a few coins, small parcels of inability to police his kingdom monks of Cluny for their moral land, a horse or armour, to tracksof land and holdings, and massive Muslim Mosul Zengi galvanised Crusade ended in a humiliatingtax exemptions. As their lands and C hr i s t e nd o m. Be r na r d o f debacle. The crusaders withdrewgr a nts i nc r e a s e d, a l ar ge Clairvaux was instructed by the in i gnomi ny, requiri ng theproportion of their income became pope to preach a new crusade. As Levantine barons to seek aneeded to support it. Much of their the crusade mounted, it was the compromise with their Islamicadministration was based on that Templars that received and neighbours.of the Hospitallers, the Knights of administered the proceeds of thethe Hospital of Saint John, who one-twentieth tax on all church Under Attackwere cotermi nous with the goods that paid for the venture. ItTemplars. was then that Pope Eugenius gave By 1150 however, the Templars the Poor Knights the right to wear were coming under attack from Endowments and the crusading red cross over their within Christendom. Their critics accused them of greed and pride.Authority hearts. Their attacks on poorly defended The leaders of the Second trade caravans, and of leaping into After 1134, lords and knights Crusade relied heavily on the battle, were seen as base attemptsbegan donating their entire estates advice of the Poor Knights, from to gain easy glory and booty.to the Order. This growing wealth local knowledge to tactics to Nevertheless, the costs of runningsaw the provincial masters of the diploma tic missions to the a military order were considerable;Order to become highly respected; Byzantine emperor. By the time the Order required a large incomesoon they were the trusted King Louis of France had reached merely to survive. Twenty yearscouncillors of popes and kings. Antioch, he had run out of money later the Hospitallers facedThe hierarchy of the Order soon to pay for any further action. bankruptcy.became comparable to that of the Turning to the Templars, hechurch, promising great power as received the resources needed to Greed was not the only vice ofthe knight advanced in rank. continue the Crusade. the Templars. With financial independence, the Templars soon When Hugh died, Robert of The Templars ensured that they acted in the Holy Land as freeCraon, the new Grand Master of were repaid in full, a sum equal to agents. From private treaties withthe Order, obtained from Pope half the annual income of the royal Muslim leaders to financial dealsInnocent II a bull, known as the domain. Eventually, the Second with Italian merchants tradingOmne datum optimum, declaring with Egypt, the Poor Knights werethat the Order be exempt from all willing to wage war against Islami nte r me di a r y e c c l e s i a s ti c a l Cultural on their own terms, withoutjurisdiction. In short, the Templars Adaptation interference or input from localwere subject only to the authority lords.of the pope. Even the Patriarch of Steadily, the trickle of Middle 20Jerusalem lost his authority over Eastern luxuries and culture were The Assassinsthe Order whose first vows had ferried from the Latin Crusaderbeen said before him. The This situation was exemplified States to Europe, and became aTemplars were now permitted to when in 1173 the Order’s Grant flood. The Latin lords embracedhave their own priests, and were Master entered into negotiations the civilisation of their conqueredcompletely independent of the with the chief of the Assassin sect lands. A balance was foundauthority of the bishops. They had of Ismailis in Syria. The Templars between the multitudinous faithstheir own cemeteries, could arranged that they would be safe and churches in Palestine, andreceive tithes, and take booty. from Assassin attacks in Syria; there was little missionary every other temporal lord, Muslim Innocent’s largesse in 1139 to activity of attempts to convert or Christian, could not be sure ofthe Order can in large part be Muslim or Jewish subjects to the same. This arrangement wasexplained by the fact that he was a Christianity. reached when the Assassinsclose follower of Bernard of The Levantine barons’ wealth realised that every Grand MasterClairvaux. After Innocent, the relied upon the continued well they killed would be quicklypolicy of support for the Templars being of their subjects. No less replaced with another, just as ablewas confirmed: they were seen as than the lords of the conquered and skilled.the primary way in which the Holy territories, the Templars benefitedLand could be retained. This outrage exploded when the from the prosperity of their fiefs. chief of the Syrian Assassins made This wealth allowed the Templars The Second to pursue a policy of building, not it known that he wished to convert to Christianity. On his journeyCrusade only great fortresses but also back from Jerusalem, a group palaces and churches, and a new Templars killed the Assassin’s Edessa’s capture in 1144 by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. envoy, thus ending any chance of a conversion (and ensuring the Europe, despite frantic appeals friend and Angevin vassal, Robert safety of the huge annual tribute from the Christian princes of the of Sablé, was quickly elected as paid by the Assassins to the Poor Holy Land and the various the Templar Grand Master. One of Knights). The King of Jerusalem military Orders. his first actions was to purchase was so enraged that he petitioned the recently conquered Cyprus the Pope and other European The Battle of Hattin in 1187 from Richard for 100,000 Saracen monarchs to dissolve the Order. saw the deaths of most of the besants (the Poor Knights made a His death saw the petition’s Templars in the Holy Land: a down payment of 40,000 besants, failure. ransom was put on their heads and indicating the extent of their only the Grand Master was left financial resources). The King For more information about the alive. It also saw the humiliating took command of the Crusade; Assassins in Ars Magica, see capture of some of Christendom’s Acre fell shortly thereafter. After Realms of Power: The Divine, holiest relics, including the True the execution of almost 3,000 p.113. Cross. prisoners after prisoner exchange negotiations with Saladin bogged Saladin and the Saladin’s triumphant entry into down, Richard continued his Jerusalem saw the Templars lose Third Crusade their headquarters. The Temple march towards Jerusalem; Philip that had served as their home was Augustus returned to France only Saladin’s ascendance saw the purified and the cross was taken three weeks after the capture of rapid and dramatic decline of the from the Dome of the Rock and Acre. Poor Knights in the Levant, as beaten by jubilant Muslims. A well as the Christian kingdoms in The great column of troops was slow war of attrition followed as augmented by large contingents of general. Since 1180, no substantial Saladin’s forces captured one military aid was forthcoming from Templars and Hospitallers. It was Templar (and Hospitaller) fortress their tight discipline that allowed after another. The Poor Knights the Frankish success at the major Grand Masters of the refused to give an inch, but battle of Arsuf against Saladin. As eventually, only a few coastal Knights of the Temple towns remained in Christian the crusade dragged on, it became clear that even if Jerusalem could of Solomon hands. be taken, it could not be held. Civil discord in his European Hugh of Payns (1119-1136) King’s Crusade domains prompted Richard’s hasty Robert of Craon (1137-1149) Urban III, upon hearing of the departure from the Holy Land in loss of Jerusalem, promptly died 1192. Four Templar knights Everard of Barres (1149-1152) accompanied him on his covert of sorrow. Kings and Bishops21 despaired. There was general journey through Europe. The Bernard of Trémélay (1152- belief that God had forsaken the Third Crusade was over, with the 1153) Crusaders because of their sins. Templars ensconced in Acre. Andrew of Montbard (1153- Pope Gregory VIII, the successor, 1156) quickly preached a new crusade. Rebukes and Bertrand of Blanquefort (1156- The first of Europe’s great princes Resentment to answer that call was Richard, 1169) the powerful Angevin king. As he Ambivale nc e towards the Philip of Nablus (1169-1171) gathered his resources to mount a Templars worsened. Their great new offensive in the Holy Land, wealth and power in Europe and Odo of Saint-Amand (1171- the church imposed the ‘Saladin their exemption from temporal and 1179) tithe’, a ten percent tax on all ecclesiastic authority made them a income in Christendom. Philip prime target for resentment and Arnold of Torroja (1180-1184) Augustus of Fra nce joi ned c onte mp t. T he p o pe w a s Gérard of Ridefort (1185-1189) Richard, as did a host of other i nc r e a s i ngl y fl oode d w i th lesser princes. Even the Holy c o mp l a i n t s , f r o m mi no r Robert of Sablé (1191-1193) Roma n Emper or, Fr ede ric k trans gressions to full scale Barbarossa took up the Cross and disputes with bishops. One of the Gilbert Erail (1194-1200) headed towards Acre to help the more outrageous complaints was Philip of Plessiez (1201-1209) besieging crusaders, although he that the Templars were saying died in 1190 while crossing mass in churches under interdict, William of Chartres (12-10- through Asia Minor. and that for a small fee, 1219) excommunicates could be assured The Third Crusade would go of Christian burial in Templar Peter of Montaigu (1219-) down in legend. Upon arriving in cemeteries. the Holy Land in 1191, Richard’s Suspicion was heightened by which we nt so far as tothe secrecy of the Poor Knights. excommunicate bishops whoseWhile acceptable in the Levant, in dislike of the Order was tooEurope their unwillingness to vociferous.disclose their deliberations wasfrowned upon. Furthermore, the The Fourth Crusadefailure of the Crusades to maintainthe Latin Kingdoms made people The Te mplars were onl yquestion whether the Templars margi nally involved i n thewere performing their duty notorious Fourth Crusade, aadequately. Indeed, it was pointed crusade hijacked by the ambitionsout that only a small proportion of its leaders and of Venice. After thethe knights actually journeyed to capture of Zara, a rival of Venice,the Holy Land to fight: most t he Cr us a de r ’ s tur ne d tos ta yi n g i n E ur o p e i n Constantinople with the ostensibleadministrative work. goal of restoring a deposed Byzantine prince. This goal was The Templars’ New quickly turned to conquest after the prince discovered he could notRole make the extortionate repayments to the Crusaders. and glorifying the spiritual. A Since the time of Henry II, theTemplars had been acting as mixture of anti-clericalism, a The Crusaders took the city onbankers, lending money to all reformist zeal and true piety saw the 12th of April 1204, itscomers, kings, bishops and the Cathars grow unchecked. In inhabitants were put to slaughtermerchants. Their loans to kings in 1207, the Cathars ejected the and its treasures were pillaged.particular often staved off royal Catholic bishop from Carcassone. With the Queen of Cities ravished,financial collapse. The Paris the Templars took part in the There were repeated attemptsTemple became one of the subjugation of Greece that ended by the Pope and various localprinciple financial centres of in 1210. They acquired many new authorities to persuade the CatharsEurope, as did the Temple in territories in the new Latin to give up their heresy. FailureLondon. In short time, the princedoms of Greece, and owed upon failure saw Pope Innocentwillingness or unwillingness of the nominal deference to the new call upon the Count of Toulouse,Templars to lend someone money Latin Empire of Constantinople. Raymond VI to extirpate thew oul d a s s ur e or de s tr o y heretics by force. In 1207, thesomeone’s credit rating. In The Albigensian pope’s representative, Papal 22addition to banking, they providedannuities and pensions to the Crusade Legate Peter of Castelnau met with Raymond after two years offamilies of benefactors. broken promises to take action In 1209, Pope Innocent III, Long after they were unable to flushed with the perceived success against the Cathars. After a bittercontinue their role of policing the of the Fourth Crusade and argument with Raymond, Peter ofpilgrimage routes to Jerusalem, outraged over the murder of his Castelnau was murdered by one ofgroups of Poor Knights would personal envoy two years earlier, the Count’s followers, an outrageguard convoys of treasure from preached a new crusade. The that prompted Pope Innocent toone Temple or court to another. target of the Crusade was the call a crusade.Their skill in bureaucracy saw heretical sect of dualists, the Twenty years of war and firetheir use by the pope and the Cathars. would follow, as gradually theWes ter n ma gna tes as civil northern lords of France were For many years, the Cathars hadservants. Their vows of loyalty to convinced to pursue the crusade. been in conflict with Rome. Thetheir Grand Master and the Pope At the time however, both heartland of the Cathars, themeant that they were less tied to Templars and Hospitallers (who region of southern France knownthe internecine conflicts between also had considerable holdings in for its langue d’oc, was also theEuropean princes. the area) were vigorously waging home of considerable holdings for Their role in the Middle East the Templar Order. Languedoc war in the Reconquista in Spain.now largely defunct, they made was one of the most civilised areas Throughout the Crusade, thethemselves invaluable to the lords of Eur o pe , have n of the Te mplar s ma i ntai ne d s tric tof Europe. Despite all of the troubadours and of Courtly Love. neutrality, while Cathars weredisapproval a nd rese ntme nt The Cathars were a dualistic sect, hunted down and burned for theirdirected at the Order, they belie vi ng tha t ma tte r wa s heresy.continued to enjoy papal support, intrinsically vile and abhorrent, Neither the Pope nor Simon of sympathies. Their support for the Crusade had meant to do) Egypt. Montefort, the Crusade leader, Count of Toulouse would benefit petitioned the Poor Knights for the Order of Hospital. After Simon Honorius III directed the two assistance against the Cathars. de Montfort’s death at the siege of Grand Masters of the Templars Both Cathars and Crusaders at Toulouse, and the retreat of the and Hospitallers to meet with the times were aided and shielded in Crusaders and their ecclesiastical crusade leaders: Andrew of Te mpl a r ho us e s . For t he supporters, the Hospitallers were Hungary and Leopold of Austria.23 inhabitants of Languedoc, Cathar the primary remaining Order in the In 1218, the assembled armies or Catholic alike, the crusade was area; even the Templars had sailed from Acre to Damietta. A seen as an invasion by northerners, abandoned their Cha mpa gne year later, after the death of the and a complex flux of loyalties preceptory. Templar Grand Master, the saw heretic and orthodox fight crusaders captured the city, with and against each other over A New Crusade ignoring the sultan’s offer of the course of the crusade. giving up Jerusalem in return for Innocent III’s arrival to the peace. The refusal was made on The Templars concentrated papal throne in 1198 brought with the advice of the Poor Knights, primarily on the war against Islam it a desire to recapture the who held that Jerusalem would not in Spain. Neither Simon de Christian holy places from the be able to be held without Montfort nor Pope Innocent Muslims. His main target was possession of the lands south of attempted to enlist the Poor Ayyubid Egypt, the seat of the Holy City. Knights in the Crusade. The Muslim power in the Middle East. fidelity of the Order to the Pope His attempt with the Fourth By 1220, the Crusade was in was undiminished however, and Crusade had gone horribly wrong, danger of falling apart, as pressure charges that they supported the and resulted in the creation of the in the few remaining crusader Cathars are misdirected. It was Latin states in Greece. Likewise, strongholds in Palestine were ultimately the Hospitallers who the 1212 outburst of enthusiasm in under increasing pressure. Money sided with the Count of Toulouse, Ge r ma ny a nd Fr a nc e, the was running low and German the main secular lord under attack ‘Children’s Crusade’ failed to forces had not yet arrived to aid by the Crusaders. assist the effort in the Levant. It the Crusade at all. was not until after his death in Many of the noble benefactors 1216 that his constant planning The Future to the Hospitallers in Toulouse resulted in the Fifth Crusade, a were Cathar lords, or had Cathar In 1228 Emperor Frederick campaign targeting (as the Fourtharrived in the East, and in typical The Templars are most excellent soldiers. They wear white mantlesautocratic style alienated himself with a red cross, and when they go to the wars a standard of two coloursfrom the other crusaders there, called balzaus is borne before them. They go in silence. Their first attackincluding the Grand Master. With is most terrible. In going they are the first, in returning the last. Theypressure in the Papal States, the await the orders of their Master. When they think fit to make war and theEmperor negotiated a ten-year trumpet has sounded, they sing in chorus the Psalm of David, ‘Not untotreaty with the Egyptian sultan that us, O Lord’, kneeling on the blood and necks of the enemy, unless theyincluded the restoration of have forced the troops of the enemy to retire altogether, or utterly brokenJerusalem under Christian control. them to pieces. Should any of them for any reason turn his back to theThis treaty however kept the enemy, or come forth alive [from defeat], or bear arms against theTemple of Solomon under Muslim Christians, he is severely punished; the white mantle with the red cross,control and forbade the Templars which is the sign of his knighthood, is taken away with ignominy, he isand Hospitallers from improving cast from the society of brethren, and eats his food on the floor without athe few fortresses they retained in napkin for the space of one year. … But at the end of the year, if thethe region. Furthermore, the Holy Master and brethren think his penance to have been sufficient, theyCity i tself was to re mai n restore him the belt of his former knighthood. These Templars live underunfortified. a strict religious code, obeying humbly, having no private property, The Templars and the crusader eating sparingly, dressing meanly, and dwelling in tents.barons largel y ignored the Anonymous pilgrim, 12th centuryEmperor’s treaty, ostensibly underthe guise of warring with thesultan of Damascus. Relationships over another. invaluable in battle; no Templarbecame so bad that the Templars broke rank. This interplay between rivalwere accused of plotting to murder sultans eventually led in 1244 thethe Emperor. When he returned to Templars into their second Hattin, The RuleItaly, he seized their property and where they again took the lead of aarrested many brothers, which in The Rule of the Knights large crusader force. At La Forbiet ur n c o nt r i b ut e d t o hi s Templar was a day-to-day guide the Egyptian forces wiped out theexcommunication. The Templars for living within the strict Latin army; only thirty-threewould continue to oppose the Holy discipline necessary for the Order. Te mpl a r s a nd tw e nt y- s i xRoman Emperor, in the East as Based upon a monastic rule, it Hospitallers survived. Over 260well as in Germany. included vows of poverty, chastity knights perished, and in the years and obedience. Written when the Decline and Decline following, more territory was lost. Poor Knights were little more than The arrival of the Mongols in Life in the Order gua r di a ns o f pi l gr i ms to 24 Jerusalem, the Rule was revisedthe East led to the easing ofpressure for the Templars, who of the Poor and expanded numerous times. Over two hundred additionalcontinued to be involved in localconflicts involving tribute and Knights clauses were added by the 1160s relating to military matters,trade. Only Acre, Antioc h, While most knights of the Order hierarchy, responsibilities, dutiesCaesarea and Tyre remained as the lived under the strict monastic a nd di s ci pl i ne . Addi ti ona lmain Latin domains in the East, as Rule, the Master and other monastic clauses were also added:well as Cyprus and a string of dignitaries were permitted to have 107 regulating conventual life, andfortresses. As the Crusader states luxurious living-suites and lavish 158 on the holding of a chapterhad shrunk, an increasingly larger entourages. The religiosity of the and penances. All new memberspart of what remained belonged to knights was as a monastic of the Knights Templar were readthe military orders, leading to community. Their fortresses were the Rule at their official Receptioninevitable discord. designed internally as monasteries. Ceremony. Soon the conflicts between Every aspect of the life of theHospitaller and Templar would kni ght w a s r e gul a te d a nd Structurelead to sharp criticism that the regimented. Discipline was strictTemplars had undermined the and harsh, but no more so than There were two levels to theentire Cr us adi ng move me nt those normally imposed upon Poor Knights, fighting brethrenthrough their own selfish actions. monks. Particular emphasis was and non-fighting. Each was furtherIndeed, as the decades wore on, placed on conduc t on the divided into two ranks.the Poor Kni ghts bec a me battlefield. While the Templarenmeshed in local politics and standard was aloft, no Templar Fighting Brethrenpower plays, backing one sultan was permitted to leave the battle. The vow of obedience proved The knights: heavily armed cavalry and the highest general Order were the Grand Master, the Thursday (the commemoration of level of membership, living under Se nes c hal, Gr a nd Ma rs hal , the Eucharist on the day before the strict Templar Rule. To Commander of the Kingdom of Good Friday) the Grand Master become a knight, one had to be of Jerusalem, and the Draper. washed the feet of thirteen noble birth, and only brother paupers, distributed them shirts, knights could wear the famed The Order was formally divided breeches and shows, as well as white robes of the Templars. into two regions: East and West. two loaves of bread and a small Each Crusader Kingdom had its amount of money. The se rgeants: the light own Commander, presided over cavalry, commanding a specific by the Comma nder of the The Grand Master was chosen house, fortress or lands of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The by an assembly of all provincial Order, although without the ability Commander of the Houses of the officers in the Holy Land, who to c omma nd f ul l kni ghts . West presided over the European asse mbled (i f possible) i n Sergeants were exclusively not of Commanders, and was often the Jerusalem. Upon a Grand Master’s the nobility, coming from the Seneschal. Commanders typically death, these officers elected an merchant or peasant classes. presided over cities or large towns, interim Grand Commander. An Sergeants wore a black tunic with particularly in the East. The electoral college of thirteen a red cross on the front and back. purpose of this division was to Templars, chosen by the officers, have the Western Order constantly consisting of eight knights, four Non-fighting advocating and supplying the s er ge a nts a nd a c ha plai n, Brethren Eastern Order, with the Templars’ reflecting the diverse countries entire purpose being to recapture and interests of membership was The farmers: the farmers were the Holy Land. appointed. This electoral council more properly the administrators then elects, by simple majority, the of the Templars, providing and The Grand Master Grand Master who was then organising for the temporal needs acclaimed by the assembled of the entire Order. Farmers wore The Order was primarily a knights. black or brown tunics with small military organisation. At its head red crosses. was the Grand Master, an office of The Seneschal, Grand prestige and power by the 1160s. The chaplains: alone invested T he G r a nd M a s t e r ha d Marshal, Commander with spiritual authority over all considerable power within the and Draper members of the Order of the Order. He could redistribute Temple, the chaplains minister to resources between the Order’s Below the Grand Master was needs of the brethren and are preceptories, castles and houses. the Seneschal, the deputy leader of organised according the Sacerdotal His only rival in authority was the the Knights Templar, who carried25 Orders, being priest, deacon, Templar Commander of the the Order’s black and white subdeacon, acolyte, exorcist, Kingdom of Jerusalem, who banner. Like the Grand Master, the reader and doorkeeper. officially held the keys to the Seneschal had his own staff and covenant’s Treasury. A decision horses. His responsibilities and Organisation by the Grand Master however powers were similar to the Grand Master’s, with the Seneschal could only be appealed to the The Knights Templar was Pope, although this avenue was tending to preside over whatever organised according to regions, only followed a few times in the region, East or West, that the each with its own Commander, Order’s history. Grand Master was not present Deputy Commander, Marshal, (typically West). Under-Marshal, Standard Bearer Although prior to the 1160s the Grand Master had been a humble The Grand Marshal was the and Infirmarer. All of these men Order’s chief military officer, the were drawn from the knightly knight, afterwards he was the ruler of a grand Order, entitled to four on-the-ground officer responsible brethrens, except the Standard for individual commanders, the Bearer and Under-Marshal, whose horses, and an entourage which included two knights, a chaplain, a Order’s war-resources and all tasks dealt with the Order’s military operations. Like the artisans, craftsmen and squires. clerk, a sergeant, a shield-bearer, a scribe and translator, a cook and Grand Master and Seneschal, the There were two poles of turcopolier (leader of the auxiliary position of Grand Marshal was ultimate authority within the troops). During war, he was very prestigious and came with its Knights Templar: the Grand permitted a bodyguard of between own guard, and staff. Master and the Commander of six and ten knights. Next to the Grand Master was Jerusalem, so as to ensure no the Commander of the Kingdom single person held too much Despite this grandeur, the Grand Master was also expected to of Jerusalem. With Jerusalem not power. The ‘high men’ of the in Christian hands in 1220, the symbolise humility. Every HolyCommander is effectively in exile, peace-time differed little to the life of an illness or injury. Unlike theresiding in Acre. Technically the of a Benedictine monk. Primarily Hospitallers, which had separateCommander of the Kingdom of a monastic figure, the brother houses for women, the wives ofJerusalem held the keys to the knight would wake before dawn married Knights Templar wereOrder’s treasury, once located in and attend the Matins service in expected to become nuns inthe Church of the Holy Sepulchre. the house’s chapel. This was another order.In 1220, the Commander oversees followed by numerous prayers,all non-military assets of the including the Lord’s Prayer and Despite this prohibition onOrder, such as its fleet, storage prayers to the Blessed Virgin contact with women, whichvaults in Acre, houses, villages Mary, then the hearing of Mass. included female relatives, thereand animals. By the time the knight was having was considerable interest in the breakfast just before midday, he Te mpl ars a mongs t w ome n, The Order’s Draper was would have said over five dozen particularly in the thirteenthimportant for very practical prayers. century, resulting in numerousreasons: he ensured that the donations. Despite prohibitionsbrother knights and sergeants were Meals consisted of primarily against contact with women, theproperly clothed and housed. The vegetables (such as beans, lentils realities of medieval life meantfa med whi te robes of the and cabbage), cheese and bread, that women often worked for andTemplars, as well as bed-linen and although unlike other monastic in Temple houses.a nyt hi ng o nc e be l o ngi ng orders, they were required to eatpersonally to a member of the meat and fish at least three times a FaithPoor Knights were all within the week. Templars ate at least twice apower of the Draper. Any gift day. All meals were held in Greatest reverence was shownmade to the Order was distributed complete silence. towards the Blessed Virgin Mary,by the Draper. After the Grand who was honoured as theMaster and Grand Marshal, the After eating breakfast, prayers ‘beginning of the Order’ and ‘theDraper was the most superior of would resume, with an afternoon end of the Order, whenever Godall brother knights. meal in the middle and a small wishes it to be.’ Reception into the meal in the evening of bread and Order involved solemn prayers Chapters diluted wine or water. and oaths to the Virgin Mary, as well as to God, and the oath of Meetings of the Templars took While not praying or eating, a allegiance to the Grand Masterplace in the Order’s regional head brother knight would train for war, was made in the name of God andquarters, and functioned in a undertake any tasks or duties the the Holy Virgin.similar manner to secular ruler’s house required, or would performcourts. The leader of the chapter some form of humbling labour, It is significant to note that untilwould preside over discussions of such as tilling fields or craftwork. 1307, not a single charge of heresy 26legal and business matters. Minor Since horses were so important to was ever prosecuted against theChapter meetings took place Templars, they also spent a great Templars (although many moreweekly, beginning and ending deal of time using and treating mundane complaints were madewith prayers, led by the chaplain their horses. against them). Their faith andand Master of the house. theology was entirely orthodox, The Templar Rule required that albeit it unusual because members Chapter meetings were held in each brother knight be busy all the were allowed to confess their sinsstrict secrecy, since discussions time, either praying or working. only to the Order’s own chaplains,often involved sensitive military The life of a brother knight was rather than to the region’s clergy.matters—the Templars were well chaste and gruelling.aware of the axiom that ‘loose lipssink ships’. No member of the During a time of war, prayers Templar would be integrated into theTe mplars was permitted to necessities of battle. The Templars Systemsdistribute or talk about the would pray while riding to or evenproceedings of a Chapter meeting. Thi s s e c ti o n i ntr od uc e s during the battle, and would stillThis secrecy is one of the main modified and new systems for rise before dawn.causes for conspiracy speculation Templar characters.regarding the Poor Knights of the Women and the Modified TemplarTemple. Order Virtues Daily Life The Templar Rule explicitly The following applies only to The life of a brother knight was stated that brother knights were to Templar characters, and areone filled with prayer, and during have no contact with women, modified versions of those found unless necessary for the treatment in Realms of Power: The Divine, a knight or a nobleman. You have wealth of the Templars, including p.92. swor n a li felong vow of any funds, lands and resources, obedience, poverty, and chastity, although you have no extra time; Brother Chaplain but this may not be enforced as you may levy taxes and tithes over strictly for you as it would be for a the lands you control as if you You are a priest of the Order of br ot he r kni ght . Yo u a r e were a landed noble or bishop and the Temple of Solomon, which answerable only to your superiors charge ‘rent’ on monies you lend. functions as the Priest Minor in the order and the Pope. You Because of your high position, you Virtue (ArM5, p.47), except you may have high quality weapons are a well known figure and have a are answerable only to your and armor, and two horses. You good Reputation of level 4 in your superiors within the Templars and may also take Martial Abilities region. You are expected to to the Pope. This virtue is during character generation. This support the Order’s crusading incompatible with the Wealthy virtue is incompatible with the efforts if you are in the West, and Major Virtue, the Priest Minor Wealthy Major Virtue, the Priest if you reside in the East, you will Virtue, and the Poor Major Flaw. Minor Virtue, and the Poor Major be expected to participate directly. You wear the distinctive red cross Flaw. You wear the red cross of Should the Grand Master die and of the Templar Order on your the Templars on a black tunic. you reside in the East, you will robes. This virtue is only available This virtue is only available to have the right to participate in to male characters. male characters. choosing a new Grand Master. You may only take this virtue if Brother Knight New Virtues you also have the Brother Knight You are a brother knight in the Minor Virtue. This virtue is only Order of the Temple of Solomon, Templar Bureaucrat available to male characters. and have devoted your life to the (Minor, Social Virtue) High Rank (Minor, re-conquest of Jerusalem, to God and to the Virgin Mary. You have You are technically a brother Social Virtue) swor n a li felong vow of knight or brother sergeant for the obedience, poverty, and chastity, Order of the Temple of Solomon, You hold an important position and to obey the Templar Rule. but are really an administrator for w i thi n the l oc al Te mpl a r You are answerable only to your the Order’s many holdings and hierarchy, such as the Deputy superiors and the Pope and are activities. While you have sworn C o m ma nd e r , M a r s ha l o r from a noble family. All brother the Templar oath, your many Infirmarer. You may give orders knights, upon their reception to duties means you are not required to brother knights in your region, their order, receive a standard set to uphold them as strictly. You are are accorded considerable respect of clothing, armour and weapons, answerable only to your superiors due to your position, and have the27 consisting of a helmet, templar in the order and the Pope. You power to enforce the Rule and its mail, long sword, heater shield, have considerable influence and various laws. Because of your lance, Turkish mace, and dagger. access to enormous resources, but high position, you are a well Brother knights are also given the no additional time. You may take known figure and have a good use of three horses and are Ac a de mi c Abi li ti es duri ng Reputation of level 2 in your allocated their own squire. You character creation. This virtue is region. You may only take this may take Academic and Martial incompatible with the Wealthy virtue if you also have the Brother Abi l i tie s dur i ng c ha r a c te r Major Virtue, the Brother Knight Knight Minor Virtue. This virtue generation. Because of your vows and Brother Sergeant Minor is compatible with the Temporal of poverty, you may not take the Virtues, and the Poor Major Flaw. Influence Minor Virtue. If you Wealthy Major Virtue or the Poor This virtue is only available to ta ke thi s vir tue with the Major Flaw; the Order takes care male characters. Commander Major Virtue, then of all your worldly needs. You you hold one of the few exalted may not take the Knight or Priest Commander (Major, ranks within the Templar Order, Minor Virtue or the Landed Noble Social Virtue) such as Seneschal or Grand Major Virtue. You wear the Marshal, or a rank that has famous symbol of the Templars, a You are a regional commander authority over the Eastern or red cross on pure white robes. This within the Templar Order and Western region of the Order, in virtue is only available to male have authority over all aspects of which case you likely reside in characters. the Order in a region. This Acre, Paris or London. includes the Temporal Influence Brother Sergeant Minor Virtue, as you have the ear Divine-Temple You are a member of the Order of any important nobles or Interaction clergymen in the area. You also of the Temple of Solomon, but not have access to the considerable In 1139, the Pope decreed that There is a multitude of worksNew Equipment on Kni ghts Te mplar, mos t fantastical, but some scholarly.Ability Init Atk Dfn Dam Str Load Cost Most imaginative texts deriveTurkish Mace from the creative histories of the Freemason movement in the Single +1 +3 +1 +8 0 2 Exp. seve ntee nth a nd ei ghtee nth centuries. Partial Full CostMaterial Prot Load Prot Load ConspiracyTemplar Armour*: 6 3 9 5 Exp. Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln, The Holy* Available only to Brother Knights. Blood and the Holy Grail, Arrow Books Laurence Gardiner, Bloodline ofthe Order of the Temple of knight who fled before such a time the Holy Grail: The HiddenSolomon was an exempt Order of face d the mos t severe of Lineage of Jesus Revealed,the Church, answerable only to the disciplinary punishments, the most PenguinThrone of St. Peter. Templars are horrific of which was expulsionimmune to Episcopal interdict and from the Order. Lynn Picket and Clive Prince,jurisdiction. For this reason, The Templar Revelation: SecretTemplars are unaffected by The Balzaus is important to the Guardians of the True Identity ofspiritual i nfl ue nce by a ny Templars, because it mystically Christ, Corgiauthority less than the Pope, aids them in battle, a factalthough the Grand Master and commented on with awe by their Karen Ralls, The Templars andTemplar Chaplains have spiritual Muslim opponents. This works in the Grail: Knights of the Quest,authori ty over the Order’s a similar manner to Invoking Quest Bookmembers. Templars may ignore God’s Aid in Warfare (see Realmsthe e ffects of a te mpered of Power: The Divine, p.41-42). ScholarlyDominion, unless it was tempered The Templar Commander orby the Pope or an authority within Chaplain blesses or says a prayer Malcolm Barber, The Newthe Order itself. (For the effects of over the standard before the battle, Knighthood: A History of thespiritual influence and tempering, then rolls their Communication + Order of the Temple, Cantosee Realms of Power: The Divine, Dominion Lore Ability + Stress Die, and may also add +1 if they Malcolm Barber and Keithp.38-40.) have the Brother Chaplain Minor Bate, The Templars: Selected 28 The Balzaus Virtue, or +3 if they have the Sources, Manchester Commander Major Virtue, in Piers Paul Read, The Templars, The balzaus is a long banner addition to any bonus from Pious Phoenix Pressdivided vertically in two, one half Personality Flaws. The holy power Ceremony may be used towhite, the other black. Each troopof Templars carries this before augment this total. Fictionthem in battle. While it stands, no Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Balzaus Blessing:Templar is permitted to flee from Code, Bantam Press Communication + Dominionbattle or turn their back on the Lore + Modifiers + Stress Die Umber to Ec o, Foucault’senemy. So important was thebalzaus, the Templars accord it a All Templars who can see the Pendulum, Vintage Pressspecial ten-knight guard at all balzaus gain the Holy War Bonustimes while on the battlefield. Stephen Lawhead, The Celtic to all rolls during that combat, soThese knights carry a second, Crusades, Books 1-3, Voyager long as the balzaus is raised.folded banner to raise shouldsomething happen to the first. If Templars only benefit from thethe banner were captured or highest Holy War Bonus, so ifbrought down, the Templars they personally pray for aid, andwould be expected to rally to the get a higher total, then they getHospitaller banner, or failing that, that total only; the Holy Warany Christian banner. Only if all Bonus does not stack with itself.banners had fallen were theTemplars allowed to retreat from Bibliographythe field of battle. Any brother The End of the Hohenstaufen A couple of months ago, I vol unteered to write some Hollywood villain, driving his foes to frustrated exhaustion and near Michael de Verteuil historical accounts of noble families and personalities of the despair of ever seeing the end of thirteenth century and began with him. This article was posted on the the death of William Clito. I’m a Ars Magica Berklist on 2 August The man was an extraordinary 2007 and is reproduced here with bit late with this next instalment bundl e o f c o ntr a di c ti o ns . on the end of the Hohenstaufen, permission. Brilliantly rational, sceptical and but better late than never. So here with an unquenchable thirst for goes. scientific knowledge, he spoke and what happened to them after nine languages and was literate in The End of the seven. Yet he was also deeply Frederick’s death.

Hohenstaufen s upe r s ti ti o us , a ddi c te d to

astrology, a scourge of heretics The origin of the Staufers is puzzlingly obscure. Unlike the Much to general surprise, and and capable of naive piety. A Plantagenets, they don’t even possibly his own, the “stupor friend to his Muslim and Jewish seem to have a Mythic back story mundi” Emperor Frederick II subjects, he allegedly professed with faeries or demons amongst Hohenstaufen died on December r e l i gi o u s i nd i f f e r e n t i s m their forebears. Possibly this 19th, 1250. Many refused to (describing Moses, Jesus and reflects an unusually lowly believe his death at the time. M o ha m me d a s “ c u nni n g parentage, or simply a paucity of Franciscan Friar Salimbene of i mp o s tor s ”) ye t , w hi l e literacy and historical records in a Parma, for example, only credited excommunicated, he launched one wild region, endowed as it the news several days later upon of the few successful crusades (the nevertheless was with ancient and hearing it confirmed vive voce by 6th), retaking Jerusalem in 1229 powerful abbeys well able to Pope Innocent IV who preached to with minimal forces and imposing chronicle local events. The the people in Ferrara on his way a ten year truce on the Ayyubid standard Hohenstaufen family back to Rome from Lyons. Like sultan of Egypt (Jerusalem was to history puff piece by Otto of many, Salimbene had come to see stay in Christian hands until Freising is sadly mundane on this Frederick as the Antichrist whose 1244) . Obse sse d wi th the point. reign was to foreshadow the importance of family and dynastic succession, he managed to alienate Be that as it may, the earliest Second Coming of Christ. He Staufer I can find any record of is29 wrote that he “had expected and most of his 6 (or more, depending how you count them) wives while a Frederick of Büren (c. 998- hoped that Frederick would do 1074). He married a daughter of greater evil than had been done so ma i nta i ni ng a ha r e m a nd nume r o us mi s tr e s s e s , a nd the count of Filsgau, and his son, far, although he had done a great also called Frederick (there are a d e a l .” T he goo d fr i a r ’ s imprisoning and possibly driving his son and heir to suicide. A great lot of Fredericks in this story, so disappointment lay not so much in pay attention) was styled count of delight in the Emperor’s many l a w gi ver hi ms e l f, he r a n roughshod over constitutional Büren. It’s unclear how this sins, but in dashed prophetic hopes of an imminent appearance of the rights and provisions when it Messianic Age. suited his personal interests.

It is difficult to overstate the But this story is not about

impact on the 13th century of Frederick. I wouldn’t have the Frederick’s reign and, as we shall space to do him justice anyway. see shortly, his death marked one As the title suggests, its about the of those rare decisive turning end of the Staufers, not their peak. points of history. Frederick had As the subject of this series of been a whirlwind–an unstoppable historical vignettes is meant to be force of nature sweeping furiously the great princely families that across Europe and the Near East, hovered just below the royal level, collecting royal titles like candy often slipping just below the radar (six at final count), and leaving of conventional national historical e ne mies a nd more ne utral accounts most people have been o bs er ve rs ali ke a gog a nd exposed to, I mean to deal sputtering. Never down for long, principally with the Staufers he would rise up again like a before they reached the throne,second Frederick (c. 1020-1094) have been reasonably impressive Hohenstaufen whose story, Ibecame a count. Possibly he was at the time. It’s not entirely clear remind you, is not the subjectjust a successful baron who, as why Henry picked Frederick as here, was not Barberossa’s son butwas often the case in 10th and duke of Swabia, but the fact that his nephew (Ha ha! Got you.) But11th century Germany, usurped Frederick had married Henry’s what made him special andthe title. Unlike in France where daughter Agnes and been the ul ti ma tel y, to the Papa c y,counties had historically consisted grandson of the earlier Duke Otto intolerable was that he was,of ancient Roman towns and their probably had something to do with through his mother, king of Sicily.surrounding countryside, the it. Duke Fre deric k I wasrelative lack of early urbanization succeeded by his son Duke The Holy Roman Empire wasin Germany had made “counties” Frederick II One-eyed (1090- by this time a vague quasit he r e mo r e p l a s t i c a nd 1146), and he in turn by his son federation consisting of fourspontaneous. The fact that his (you guessed it!) Frederick III separate real ms . The mos tmaternal grandfather had been a Barberossa (1122-1190, our 5th powerful of these was Germanycount probably facilitated matters. Freddie if you are still keeping (or East Francia or, misleadingly, count). In 1152 Barberossa was of the Romans)) to which had This Count Frederick couldn’t e l ec te d ki ng a nd s o got been added Italy and the nhave been a complete nobody, renumbered King (later Emperor Burgundy. Bohemia was raised tohowever, as he married Hildegard, in 1154) Frederick I Barberossa, a s ubj e c t ki ngdo m unde rthe daughter of his nominal lord, the first Hohenstaufen monarch. Barberossa but was never directlyDuke Otto of Swabia and Bavaria, in the Emperor’s hands during ourhimself a grandson of Emperor N ow o ur Fr e de r i c k II period. The imperial title wasOtto I. When Duke (not theEmperor) Otto died, he wasreplaced successively by membersof the Conradin family and thenthe Babenburgs, and then variousSalians, Ottonians, Schweinfurtsand assorted Rheinfelden andZähringen dukes or claimants.This frequent flipping of ducaldynasties was due to the fact thatGerman princely families died outvery easily as the German crownand royal fiefs could not normallybe inherited through the female 30line. Further complicating thestory was that once becomingki ng/e mperor , a duke wasexpected to hand off his duchy tosomeone else. So when Emperor Henry IVwas fis hi ng around for areplacement duke of Swabia, hesettled on the son of CountFrederick and Hildegard (alsounsurprisingly called Frederick).And this is how the Hohenstaufengot their big start with the nowDuke Frederick I (1050-1105) ofSwabia who took the nameHohenstaufen from a castle he hadbuilt on the on the southern spur ofa mountainous ridge of the samename in northern Swabia nearGöppingen (in modern south-western Germany). The castle wassacked and burnt in the Peasant’sWar in 1525 and there’s not thatmuch left of it now, but it must tec hnically a ttac hed to the uniting the German and Sicilian male descendants one after kingdom of Italy, and the German c r o w ns , e x p e r i me n t i n g another, and effectively put an end king (after being crowned again as unsuccessfully with various non to the imperial threat by freeing all King of Italy in Pavia) was Hohe nsta ufe n s uccess ors to the Staufer vassals and making expected to make his way to Rome Barberossa; but they all proved sure no one could be confirmed as where, the Pope willing, he was unsatisfactory in various ways. emperor for the next 61 years. crowned emperor. The last one, Otto IV, was How the Papacy went about doing downright threatening in his this is the meat of our story. Whether Rome itself was part of perfidious repudiation of sworn the “empire” was unclear and promises to leave Church property Frederick’s eldest legitimate hotly contested. But as it lay on alone and butt out of episcopal son, uncharacteristically named the far southern border of the elections. Most reluctantly, the Henry, was the one who might kingdom of Italy, and was ruled Pope eventually agreed to back have committed suicide. Frederick separately by the Pope, it wasn’t Frederick as emperor in an effort had made king of Germany as normally a practical issue. The to see Otto off. Unfortunately, the Henry VII (while keeping the German emperors had a hard operation was a success, but the imperial title for himself) it a enough time trying to impose their patient died. As the wealthiest and transparently dishonest effort to will on the essentially self ruling most powerful ruler of Europe, appear to live up to his promise to (and frequently “rebellious”) with the bulk of his holdings in the Pope Honorius III never to unite Italian communes. The Popes Pope’s former southern refuge of the German and Sicilian crowns. could normally run their own Sicily, and the Papal States held in Henry had chaffed under his affairs in relative peace, playing a tight territorial vice, Frederick fa t he r ’ s he a v y ha nd a nd off the communes against the just couldn’t be stopped form domineering personality, and king, or rival royal claimants treating the Papal lands as if they when he tried to assert himself by against each other. If things got were his own, handing out chunks forming his own party, Frederick too hot for him with an imperial to officials and cronies as fiefs. deposed him and had him locked army heading for Rome, the Pope Excommunication, Frederick’s up in various prisons in Apulia. usually retreated south to the lands t yr a nni c a l w a ys a nd hi s Modern a nalysis of He nry’ of his nominal vassal, the Norman questionable morality helped skeleton in 1998 showed him to king of Sicily. The stroppy would- spawn and support rebellion, but have been a small man of about be emperor would run out of successive Popes, spending half 164 cm (5' 4.5") and to have been money, have his supply lines cut their time in exile, just couldn’t in an advanced state of leprosy off, or see his army succumb to seem to get rid of him. when he died of a fall from a great malaria or dysentery in the hot height (possibly a suicide) in 1235 Italian s un, a nd so would By the time Frederick died, his at the age of 25.31 eventually have to retreat north. ene mies, Pope Innocent IV included, had had enough. Never Fr e de ric k’ s younge r s on With our Freddie, however, again were they going to put up (inexplicably also not called things were going to be different. with such a consolidation of feudal Frederick. Some people just have The various Popes tried really hard power. They systematically set no sense of tradition.) and, after to prevent the Hohenstaufen from about exterminating Frederick’s deposing Henry, Frederick had him appointed king as Conrad IV in 1237. Conrad was still alive when Frederick died so become the primary focus of efforts to bring down the Hohenstaufen clan. Pope Innoce nt a fter excommunicating Frederick for the last time, had backed two s uc c e s s i ve c ounte r ki ngs : Landgrave (Marquis) Henry Raspe of Thuringia who died in 1246, and then Count William II of Holland who was still around when Frederick kicked off in 1250. Conrad managed to defeat William in that year, limiting his influence for a time to William’s power base in the Low Countries. He wasn’t able to eliminate him entirely, however, and Williammanaged to drive him into Italy diminutive “Conradin”) for whom their children. Manfred’s enemies,the following year. Conrad hoped the title of Conrad V of Germany of course, would have none of thisto recoup his losses by joining up w a s c l a i me d a nd , mo r e and to them he remained a bastard.with Frederick’s Sicilian kingdom, importantly, Frederick’s surviving In any case, Manfred had beenbut the Pope’s allies in northern illegitimate son Manfred. I say holding down the fort in Sicily forItaly kept Conrad bottled up until “illegitimate”, but the matter was Frederick and then Conrad till the1252 when he finally managed to in some dispute. Manfred was latter, suspicious, set him asideslip into the southern part of the born of Frederick’s mistress and later died. Manfred ispeninsula by sea. Conrad was Bianca (or Beatrice) Lancia probably the hero of this littleexcommunicated by the frustrated (Lanzia, Lanza), that much is tragedy, in my view, and deservesPope in 1254, and died a few clear. Yet Frederick seems to have a little more attention.months later of malaria. considered him legitimate, and some historians claim Frederick There were now only two live married Bianca on her deathbed inmale Staufers left: Conrad’s two 1233, specifically to legitimizeyear old son Conrad (called by the

A Florilegium of House Bjornaer

know that the concept of Bjornaer When I was putting togetherHouse Bjornaer for Houses of magi with multiple shapes is used By Mark ShirleyHermes: Mystery Cults I was in some sagas for this House. Iaware that I had more ideas than I cannot confess to suffering much Bjornaer is too much of ahad word count. For reasons of guilt over specifically ruling out stereotype. True, Birna came fromspace, some of these ideas this option — in canon material a Germanic tribe, and was perhapsremoved from the first draft to for previous editions the concept one of the most 'primitive' of themake room for a more focused appears just once: in The Bestiary Founders, but it doesn't necessarilyhouse. With the kind permission for Second Edition Ars Magica as follow that her house follows suit.of the guys at Atlas Games, I'm a single sentence, off-the-cuff After all, Trianoma was aable to bring these sections (Lost mention. There is no suggestion of Thessalonian witch, yet herCubs, Additional Septs) to you in it in Third, Fourth, or Fifth Edition lineage is one of the mostthis article, along with some other Ars Magica at all. However, I prestigious in the Order. It hasconcepts which never even made it would like to apologize to those been four hundred and fifty yearsas far as electronic paper (Feral troupes, who, lacking a clear since the Founding — at leastMagi, Ulf Bjornaer). However, canon position, have decided to eight Hermetic generations and 32there was a second impetus for adopt the concept of multiple probably more — and Mythicthis article, which was to give an shapes to fill the gap in the Europe is a very different place.apology, so I'll get that out of the Bjornaer Mysteries until the There are no longer tribal peopleway first. Houses of Hermes series reached living anywhere in close proximity this house. Be assured that I did to the major nations of Europe, I realize from reactions on the not just make Bjornaer magi hate where the majority of sagas willvarious fora that some players of shapeshifters on a whim. What I be set. So why should a BjornaerArs Magica Fifth Edition may be hope to do here is to explain to apprentice regress culturally andunhappy with the direction I have you why I took this route in my become a savage barbarian? Thetaken with House Bjornaer. I write-up of the House; whilst you only remnants of his 'primitive' still may be magic is his heartbeast, and whilst una b l e to this is central to his identity as a forgive me for member of the House, the magic what I've done he uses most often will be that of t o t h e the Order of Hermes — wholly Bjornaer, I reliant on formal education, hope that you scholarl y study, a nd other will at least trappings of civilization. For und e r s ta nd those who wish to play the 'noble why I did what savage' archetype, then Clans I did. Midusulf and Sirnas provide a outlet; it was my intent to make It has always these clans a little more savage concerned me than the rest of the house and that House provide a home for pre-existing characters who feel that they have magi as experts in shapechanging, are provided with magical items been disenfranchised by the new but I hope you can see the logic which allow them to simulate the look House Bjornaer. behind the change in the House. In process of spellcasting. These an attempt to make amends, here 'apprentices' are even brought OK, so scrap the stereotype. are some bits and pieces which did before the Order to swear the Oath Bjornaer magi are no longer not make it as far as Houses of of Hermes as if they were proper primitive magicians; their magic Hermes: Mystery Cults. magi. and schooling is every bit as sophisticated as a Jerbiton or a First, there are two character Such a character ends up as a Tytalus. Of course, as a mystery concepts for playing alternate Companion character with the cult, they have some surprising members of House Bjornaer, the Lost Cub Social Virtue (see beliefs; in House Bjornaer's case, Lost Cubs and the Feral magi. below). No-one outside of the regarding the transmigration of House knows that some 'magi' of animal souls. But this is not Second, there are some details House Bjornaer have never cast a s ome thi ng tha t ne c es sa ril y of some more septs — I only had spell in their lives. If the Order permeates their life. A true story enough room for two in the final were ever to discover that some of from my own life: my grandfather chapter. its members are masquerading as was the very epitome of an Third, I present Ulf Bjornaer, G i f t e d ma gi c i a ns , t he ordinary (that is, boring), middle- the magus who is used in all the repercussions to House Bjornaer classed gentleman; yet at the age examples in the chapter. He is of a could be severe. However, House of fourteen or so I discovered he suitable age to be the master of a Mercere sets the precedent for the was a druid. The culture-shock player character, or else he could existence of unGifted members of that I experienced is what I serve as a story hook, protagonist the Order, and the House could imagine most magi undergo when or antagonist. Finally, I present an probably weather this storm. (or rather, if) they discover the outline for a Bjornaer-oriented heterodox views of their Bjornaer saga w hic h was ori gi nall y Lost Cub sodalis. formulated when writing up the Major Virtue, Social I wanted to keep the ancestral covenant of Crintera for Guardians of the Forests. Status (House Bjornaer only) enemies of the House from previous editions, the original This article covers the first – You have mistakenly undergone shapeshifting tradition, but needed Lost Cubs and Feral magi. The the Ritual of Twelve Years despite a strong reason why they should second and third pieces will be in having no Gift. You masquerade still be enemies after so many future issues. as a member of the Order of years. Now that the Shapeshifter Hermes despite being unable to33 Ability is part of the Fifth Edition core rules, the difference between Lost Cubs use Hermetic Magic. You must buy this Virtue with the Dark characters with this Virtue and the Secret Major Flaw. Your social Very rarely, a child without the Bjornaer magi seemed obvious — status is equivalent to Hermetic Gift will have their heartbeast the first can take multiple shapes, Magus unless your secret is awakened by the Ritual of Twelve but the Bjornaer followers have disc overe d. You have the Years. This may be a result of a just one shape. There is therefore a Heartbeast virtue for free, and you botched ritual, or the confusion of fundamental difference between may change shape just like a Supernatural Abilities with the the native tradition and the modern magus of House Bjornaer. You true Gift. If using 'The Thousand House. Furthermore, if Bjornaer must choose either a Supernatural Heartbeasts' story seed of the magi consider the heartbeast to be Virtue (Minor or Major) or the Bjornaer Chapter, these Lost Cubs part of their soul, their world view Latent Magic Ability Virtue to may also be intentionally created has no room for those who can represent the innate magic which by the rogue mystagogue. Such take multiple shapes — you can't caused the House to assume you people cause problems to House after all have multiple souls ... were Gifted. Your Sept has Bjornaer: they are officially unless you steal them from provided you with enchanted members of the House and have elsew her e. This progres sed devices with fifty levels of effect, been adopted into the mystic naturally into the superstitious including modifications to the family of the Bjornaer followers, dread that the Bjornaer magi have level due to factors such as and yet they are not magi and for shapeshifters with multiple number of uses per day (see cannot officially join the Order. for ms , a nd t he i r ge ne r a l ArM5, page 95). These will be Further, they come about due to repugnance for shapeshifting upgraded and replaced by your the negligence of a magus, a magic. Sept to maintain your cover as a shameful thing in the opinion of the Bjornaer Council. As a result, Gifted magus, on average an extra So, I'm sorry if this disrupts their lack of The Gift is kept two levels per year. You are your prior concept of Bjornaer hidden from the Order, and they trained in a similar manner to Gift allowing the 107), and during this process the creature to learn Beast of Virtue loses its Might Hermetic Magic Score. The master must have some (this assumes the means to communicate freely with unorthodox her unorthodox apprentice (such position that a as a spell, or the Animal Ken magus is a Human Virtue) to teach him any magic. of Virtue, or Whilst much of its innate magic is alternatively that a transformed by being Opened to Beast of Virtue the Arts, the player can purchase pos s e s s e s an magical powers appropriate to the animal equivalent mythic potential of her character's of The Gift). natural form. These powers are designed like spells, but cost the One of t he character a fatigue level to problems with this activate. A Minor Virtue offers up concept is that to 25 levels of effects, with the a c c or di ng to stipulation that the power must prevailing thought affect the creature itself rather than of the da y, any other target. A Major Virtue animals have no supplies 50 levels of effects, withmagi, and may take Academic, souls, so neither will the feral no such restriction.Arcane and Martial Abilities magus. Troupes may wish toduring character creation. You ignore this uncomfortable fact, or Once the character undergoeshave spent fifteen years as an else provide for it with the Simple- the Ritual of Twelve Years it gains‘apprentice’, and gained a total of Minded Flaw, which represents the Heartbeast Ability and can300 experience points in those the lack of higher cognitive now become human. The humanfifteen years. If it is ever faculties without inhibiting the form is neither sanguine, choleric,discovered that you do not have character's functioning as a magus. melancholic nor phlegmatic, but aThe Gift, your life may be in If this option is taken, the Flaw perfect mix between all four; thedanger; and House Bjornaer will should be in addition to the temperament of any attendingbe severely embarrassed. The character's normal allotment, and magus acts as a penalty to theHouse will therefore deal with you does not yield any points with performance of the ritual, partiallyfavorably in fear of you revealing which to buy Virtues. explaining why feral magi are soyour secret (accidentally or rare. To simulate a Feral magus, the‘accidentally’), but if you push character begins its life as a Beast The viewpoint of this magus 34this latitude too far, they may of Virtue. Determine the base will be severely twisted from thedecide they are better off without statistics of the animal form, and nor m, a nd the pla yer a ndyou. This Virtue may only be apply the normal allotment of storyguide should take pains totaken by a Companion character. experience points for a human highlight the effects of this change character, buying the Abilities of in perception. Many huma n Feral Magi the base creature before allocating customs will prove puzzling to the experie nce poi nts to other magus, and he may frequently At least one Bjornaer magus Abilities. You must buy the Feral make errors in judgment regardingclaims to have taken an animal as Upbringing Flaw, and cannot human behavior, similar to thean apprentice; the Ritual of spend experience points on Social Handicap Flaw. ThisTw e l ve Y e a r s a pp a r e ntl y language, social, or academic unfamiliarity with humans willawakening the human heartbeast Abilities. Only once magical fade over the years, but never trulyof the creature. Many scoff at such training begins can the character vanish. Feral magi can only evertales, but such an individual might acquire the minimum scores in achieve the Inner Mystery of themake an interesting character to Latin and Artes Liberales required Epitome and regain a part of theirplay in a non-canon saga. The for a magus, so these Abilities virtuous form; they are so attunedanimal would have to have true mus t be bought using the to this mystery that they receive aIntelligence rather than Cunning, allotment of experience from permanent +3 to all initiationand would also have to be apprenticeship. To Open the Arts scripts to gain or refine the Innerinherently magical — that is, be a of a Beast of Virtue, the master Mystery of the House.Beast of Virtue. The process of must have a Intellego Vim LabOpening the Arts strips the Beast Total of at least 30 because theof Virtue of its Might score, and

h pupil has the equivalent of a Majorreplaces it with a variant of The Supernatural Virtue (ArM5 page An Atlas Games Promotion

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